1
|
Nagy J, Hauber ME, Löki V, Mainwaring MC. Plumage and eggshell colouration covary with the level of sex-specific parental contributions to nest building in birds. THE SCIENCE OF NATURE - NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN 2024; 111:12. [PMID: 38411714 PMCID: PMC10899274 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-024-01899-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Interspecific variation in sex-specific contributions to prenatal parental care, including avian nest building, is becoming increasingly better understood as we amass more information on more species. We examined whether sex-specific nest building contributions covary with the colouration of parents and their eggs in 521 species of Western Palearctic birds. Having colourful plumage and laying colourful eggs are costly because of the deposition of pigments in feathers and eggs and/or forming costly nanostructural substrates in feathers, and so it might be expected that those costs covary with the costs of nest building at the level of individuals and/or across species to produce of a suite of codivergent traits. Using a phylogenetically informed approach, we tested the hypothesis that species in which females alone invest energy building nests exhibit less sexual plumage dichromatism. However, we found comparative support for the opposite of this prediction. We then tested that species in which females alone build nests lay more colourful, and costlier, eggs because the dual costs of building nests and laying colourful eggs can only be borne by higher quality individuals. As expected, we found that species in which females build nests alone or together with males are more likely to lay colourfully pigmented eggs relative to species in which only males build nests. Finally, stochastic character mapping provided evidence of the repeated evolution of female-only nest building. Interspecific sex differences in plumage colouration therefore covary in a complex manner with female pre- (nest building) and post-copulatory (egg production) investment in reproduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenő Nagy
- HUN-REN-UD Conservation Biology Research Group, Department of Botany, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1., H-4032, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Mark E Hauber
- Advanced Science Research Center and Program in Psychology, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY, 10031, USA
| | - Viktor Löki
- Wetland Ecology Research Group, HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Bem tér 18/C, H-4026, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Mark C Mainwaring
- School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2DG, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xu W, Mu R, Gegen T, Luo J, Xiao Y, Ou S, Wu Q, Zuo Y, Chen Z, Li F. Comparative analysis of hepatic transcriptomes and metabolomes of Changshun green-shell laying hens based on different green eggshell color intensities. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103220. [PMID: 37980748 PMCID: PMC10685025 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The eggshell color of avian species is an important trait that is predominantly determined by the pigments biliverdin and protoporphyrin. Various factors affect eggshell pigment deposition and coloration; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We analyzed the hepatic transcriptomes and metabolomes of Changshun green-shell hens laying dark green and light green eggs to investigate the potential role of the liver in regulating the intensity of the green eggshell color. In total, 350 differentially expressed genes and 211 differentially altered metabolites were identified. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that the enriched pathways and Gene Ontology (GO) terms were mainly associated with energy, immunity, and nutrient metabolism. Metabolite set enrichment analysis revealed that the enriched pathways were mainly associated with amino acid, vitamin, bile acid, and lipid metabolism. Moreover, gene-metabolite interaction network analysis revealed 1 subnetwork. Most genes and metabolites in this subnetwork were determined to be related to melanin metabolism and transport. In conclusion, our results suggest that hepatic melanin metabolism and transport are critical for eggshell coloration. Six candidate genes (CDKN2B, DDC, PYCR1, ABCG5, SLC3A1, and P2RX2) and 7 candidate metabolites (serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, ornithine, acetylcholine, L-tryptophan, D-ornithine, and ADP) were suggested to play important roles in this process. Meanwhile, this study suggests that changes in hepatic energy metabolism, immune status, antioxidation activity, nutrient availability, and bile acid synthesis can impair eggshell coloration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenbin Xu
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China; Qiannan Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology for Livestock and Poultry, Duyun 558000, China; College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ren Mu
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China; Qiannan Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology for Livestock and Poultry, Duyun 558000, China.
| | - Tuya Gegen
- Qiannan Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology for Livestock and Poultry, Duyun 558000, China; Library, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China
| | - Jiaxiang Luo
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China
| | - Yang Xiao
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China
| | - Shunnian Ou
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China
| | - Qi Wu
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China; Qiannan Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology for Livestock and Poultry, Duyun 558000, China
| | - Yongsong Zuo
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China; Qiannan Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology for Livestock and Poultry, Duyun 558000, China
| | - Zhi Chen
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China; Qiannan Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology for Livestock and Poultry, Duyun 558000, China
| | - Fangwei Li
- Guizhou Changshun Tiannong Green Shell Laying Hen Industrial Co. Ltd., Chang Shun 550700, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ren J, Yang Q, Tang Q, Liu R, Hu J, Li L, Bai L, Liu H. Metabonomics reveals the main small molecules differences between green and white egg shells in ducks. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2021.2024096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jia Ren
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qinglan Yang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qian Tang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ruixin Liu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiwei Hu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Liang Li
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lili Bai
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hehe Liu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lu MY, Xu L, Qi GH, Zhang HJ, Qiu K, Wang J, Wu SG. Mechanisms associated with the depigmentation of brown eggshells: a review. Poult Sci 2021; 100:101273. [PMID: 34214744 PMCID: PMC8258675 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Eggshell color is an important shell quality trait that influences consumer preference. It is also of particular importance with respect to sexual signaling and the physiological and mechanical properties of shell pigment. Pigments include protoporphyrin IX, biliverdin, and traces of biliverdin zinc chelates, with brown eggs being notably rich in protoporphyrin IX, the synthesis of which has a marked effect on the intensity of brown eggshell color. This pigment is initially synthesized in the eggshell gland within the oviduct of laying hens and is subsequently deposited throughout the cuticular and calcareous layers of brown eggshell. In this review, we describe the factors affecting brown eggshell color and potential targets for the regulation of pigment synthesis. Protoporphyrin IX synthesis might be compromised by synthetase-mediated pigment synthesis, the redox status of the female birds, and regulation of the nuclear transcription factors associated with δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase1. We believe that this review will provide a valuable reference for those engaged in studying eggshell depigmentation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Yuan Lu
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Animal Products on Feed Hazards (Beijing) of the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, China
| | - Li Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150030, China
| | - Guang-Hai Qi
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Animal Products on Feed Hazards (Beijing) of the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Hai-Jun Zhang
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Animal Products on Feed Hazards (Beijing) of the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Kai Qiu
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Animal Products on Feed Hazards (Beijing) of the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Animal Products on Feed Hazards (Beijing) of the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Shu-Geng Wu
- Laboratory of Quality & Safety Risk Assessment for Animal Products on Feed Hazards (Beijing) of the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mitochondrial transcription factor A induces the declined mitochondrial biogenesis correlative with depigmentation of brown eggshell in aged laying hens. Poult Sci 2020; 100:100811. [PMID: 33518349 PMCID: PMC7936150 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.10.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Eggshell color is an important characteristic for poultry eggs. Eggs from aged hens usually have poor shell color that is unacceptable for the table egg market. The objective of this study was to examine effects of pigment synthesis and mitochondrial biogenesis on brown eggshell color of aged laying hens. In this trial, 8 hens laying eggs with darker shell color and 8 hens laying eggs with lighter shell color were selected from 300 62-week-old Hy-Line brown-egg laying hens. Results showed that egg weight (P < 0.05), eggshell weight (P < 0.01), protoporphyrin IX (Pp IX) content of the eggshell and the shell gland (P < 0.001), and biliverdin content of the shell gland (P < 0.001) were significantly declined in the light-shell group compared with the dark-shell group. Relative mRNA expression of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase1 (ALAS1) (P < 0.05), coproporphyrinogen oxidase (P < 0.01), ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCG2 (P < 0.01), and mitochondrial transcription factor A (P < 0.05) was reduced in hens laying lighter brown eggshell. Moreover relative mRNA expression of mitochondrial DNA copy number (P < 0.01), mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (P < 0.05), mitochondrial ATP synthase F0 subunit 8 (P < 0.05), and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (P < 0.01) was significantly decreased in the shell gland of the light-shell group. In addition, NAD+ contents of the shell gland were increased in the dark-shell group (P < 0.01). Brown eggshell depigmentation is a result of decreased Pp IX content in the eggshell and the shell gland. Decreased mitochondrial biogenesis may contribute to the depigmentation of brown eggshell by targeting ALAS1 and ALAS1-mediated Pp IX biosynthesis.
Collapse
|
6
|
Morales J. Eggshell Biliverdin as an Antioxidant Maternal Effect. Bioessays 2020; 42:e2000010. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Judith Morales
- National Museum of Natural SciencesSpanish National Research Council (CSIC) c/ José Gutiérrez Abascal 2 Madrid 28006 Spain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Veldsman LM, Kylin H, Bronkhorst P, Engelbrecht I, Bouwman H. A method to determine the combined effects of climate change (temperature and humidity) and eggshell thickness on water loss from bird eggs. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2020; 42:781-793. [PMID: 30864071 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-019-00274-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Differences in bird eggshell thicknesses occur due to numerous factors, including thinning due to persistent organic pollutants. Not only does thinning weaken the shell; weaker shells combined with elevated ambient temperature and changes in humidities may result in changes in water loss rates from the egg contents. Therefore, thinner eggshells raise concern of water being lost faster than normal at lower relative humidities, which may affect hatching. To investigate the combined effects, we developed and tested an effective method that measures water loss through different thickness eggshells at controlled temperatures and relative humidities to assist in ascertaining the combined effects of climate change (temperature and humidity) and changes in eggshell thickness on bird reproduction. The fastest rate of loss was at 40% RH at 40 °C (0.1 mL/cm2/day), and the slowest was at 22 °C at 80% RH (0.02 mL/cm2/day). Eggshell thickness had a significant effect on water loss at all humidity treatments, except at the highest temperature and humidity treatment (80% RH and 40 °C). Temperature explained 40% of the variance, RH explained 20%, and interactions between temperature and humidity explained 15% of the variance (repeated-measures, two-way ANOVA). Generalized linear analyses revealed that both factors temperature and humidity contributed significantly in any two-way combinations. We have laid the ground for a system to test the combined effects of temperature and humidity changes associated with climate change and eggshell thinning associated with pollutants, on water loss across eggshells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L-M Veldsman
- Research Unit: Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - H Kylin
- Research Unit: Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- Department of Thematic Studies - Environmental Change, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - P Bronkhorst
- Research Unit: Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - I Engelbrecht
- Research Unit: Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - H Bouwman
- Research Unit: Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Holveck MJ, Guerreiro R, Perret P, Doutrelant C, Grégoire A. Eggshell coloration indicates female condition during egg-laying: a field experiment in blue tits. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blz082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
AbstractSeveral selection pressures may explain the evolution of avian eggshell coloration patterns. In cavity-nesting species, there are two main non-exclusive hypotheses. The sexually selected eggshell colour hypothesis proposes that eggshell coloration is a sexually selected signal of female and offspring quality used by males that influences paternal care or future re-mating decisions. The structural function hypothesis proposes that pigments help strengthen the eggshell and are present at higher levels and at the blunt end of the egg when females face calcium shortages. We tested whether eggshell coloration (brown spots on a white ground colour) in blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) could reliably indicate female condition at laying by forcing females to produce two consecutive clutches, thus increasing their reproductive costs. Three measures of eggshell coloration – the area covered by spots as well as white ground UV-chroma and brightness – changed between clutches; the fourth measure, spot distribution, did not. The changes were more dramatic in young and lower-quality females. All the measures varied with female quality (i.e. body condition and/or laying date). Overall, higher-quality females produced more colourful (larger, more concentrated spotted surface area; higher UV-chroma) and less bright (i.e. putatively more pigmented) eggshells, a result that is generally in line with past research. We found a clear empirical link between eggshell coloration and female condition in blue tits, an important step in determining whether eggshell coloration is a sexual signal, but which does not exclude a potential concomitant structural function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Jeanne Holveck
- CEFE UMR 5175, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Romain Guerreiro
- CEFE UMR 5175, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Perret
- CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS, Univ Montpellier, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Claire Doutrelant
- CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS, Univ Montpellier, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Arnaud Grégoire
- CEFE UMR 5175, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hoi H, Darolová A, Krištofík J, Poláček M, Majtán J, Zeman M, Okuliarová M, Turčoková L, Knauer F. Covariation between eggshell colouration and eggshell bacteria abundance and egg characteristics in blackbirds. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2019.1575910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Herbert Hoi
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Savoyenstrasse 1a, 1160 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alžbeta Darolová
- Department of Animal Ecology, Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 06 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ján Krištofík
- Department of Animal Ecology, Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 06 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Miroslav Poláček
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Savoyenstrasse 1a, 1160 Vienna, Austria
| | - Juraj Majtán
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Molecular Biology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 06 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Zeman
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Monika Okuliarová
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lucia Turčoková
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Felix Knauer
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Savoyenstrasse 1, 1160 Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hargitai R, Boross N, Hámori S, Neuberger E, Nyiri Z. Eggshell Biliverdin and Protoporphyrin Pigments in a Songbird: Are They Derived from Erythrocytes, Blood Plasma, or the Shell Gland? Physiol Biochem Zool 2017; 90:613-626. [DOI: 10.1086/694297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|