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Avilés JM, Cruz-Miralles Á, Parejo D. Colour-specific diet specialization is associated with differences in owlet weight in a polymorphic owl: influence of the trophic quality variation. Oecologia 2023; 203:181-191. [PMID: 37815597 PMCID: PMC10615958 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05460-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
The niche divergence hypothesis proposes that the evolution and maintenance of colour polymorphism is based on a mechanism of disruptive selection. In a trophic context, the hypothesis predicts that individuals differing in colour vary in their trophic niche, either because they differ in foraging efficiency or feed in different habitats. A major evolutionary conundrum is how these expectations are affected by variation in trophic quality. Using an owl species with colour plumage polymorphism, the Eurasian scops owl Otus scops, we examined diet and habitat segregation during reproduction in relation to plumage colouration and trophic quality. Intensive sampling revealed that trophic quality for scops owls (i.e. abundance of grasshoppers and locusts) varied more among territories than between years, but scops owls did not segregate among territories of different quality by their colouration. However, we found that sex, plumage colouration and territory differences in trophic quality explained differences in the degree of dietary specialization. Brownish males delivered a higher diversity of prey to the nest than greyish ones in high trophic quality territories. We also found that the more diverse the diet provided by males, the heavier the owlets at fledging. Our study provides evidence for a different sensitivity to trophic quality of the colour morphs with potential fitness consequences in scops owls. We highlight the importance of studying the mechanisms leading to the persistence of colour polymorphism in patchy environments, since segregation may pass otherwise unnoticed if only habitats or years with similar conditions are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Miguel Avilés
- Departamento de Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva, EEZA-CSIC, La Cañada de San Urbano, Almería, Spain.
- Unidad Asociada (CSIC): Ecología en el Antropoceno, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain.
| | - Ángel Cruz-Miralles
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Deseada Parejo
- Departamento de Ecología Funcional y Evolutiva, EEZA-CSIC, La Cañada de San Urbano, Almería, Spain
- Unidad Asociada (CSIC): Ecología en el Antropoceno, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
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2
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Rhodes C, Haunfelder W, Carlson BE. Citizen science reporting indicates geographic and phenotypic drivers of road use and mortality in a threatened rattlesnake. Curr Zool 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoac050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Roads may influence selection on phenotypic traits of wildlife. In particular, the likelihood of vehicle collisions with wildlife may vary depending on body coloration in contrast to the road, which may be exaggerated by cultural attitudes towards the species. The timber rattlesnake Crotalus horridus is a threatened species that varies widely in coloration, and their color pattern could influence thermoregulatory use of roads and visibility to motorists. Moreover, better camouflaged snakes may have higher road mortality in areas where environmental interest is lower and, perhaps, negative attitudes towards wildlife are more prevalent. We used citizen scientist observations of timber rattlesnakes from iNaturalist and categorized for each rattlesnake the surface they were on, color pattern, and whether they were alive. We combined iNaturalist data with Google Trends data to characterize regional variation in environmental interest. We discovered that lighter-colored snakes were more likely to be found on roads, as were snakes further south, west, and on warmer days. Once on a road, coloration didn’t influence survival regardless of road type or environmental interest. However, snakes on asphalt roads or on southern roads were more likely to be found dead. The higher likelihood of lighter colored snakes being found on roads suggests that they are at greater overall risk of road death, potentially selecting for darker coloration. Citizen scientist behavior may at least partly underlie the influence of latitude on the results, however, and further work in the application of citizen science data to such research questions is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaz Rhodes
- Department of Biology, Wabash College, Crawfordsville Indiana , USA
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3
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Riyahi S, Carrillo-Ortiz JG, Uribe F, Calafell F, Senar JC. Risk-taking coping style correlates with SERT SNP290 polymorphisms in free-living great tits. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:274842. [PMID: 35332918 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The coping style of an individual in relation to potentially dangerous situations has been suggested to be inherited in a polygenic fashion, being SERT one of the candidate genes. In this paper, we assessed in free-living great tits Parus major the association between SNP290 in the SERT promoter and three standard fear-related behaviors, namely the response of the birds to a black and white flag fixed to the top of the nest-box, distress calling rate of the birds in the hand once captured and the hissing call of incubating females when approached by a predator. We found a strong association between SNP290 polymorphism and the three risk-taking behaviors, with birds with genotype CT entering faster to the nest box with the flag and displaying more distress calls and less hissing calls. CT birds could therefore be described as more proactive than CC individuals. These results also suggest that hissing behavior should be regarded as a fear-induced shy behavior, and confirm that SERT has an important function in relation to risk aversion behaviors and coping style.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepand Riyahi
- Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, Psseig Picasso s/n, Parc Ciutadella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.,Evolutionary Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - José G Carrillo-Ortiz
- Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, Psseig Picasso s/n, Parc Ciutadella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Uribe
- Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, Psseig Picasso s/n, Parc Ciutadella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Calafell
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Senar
- Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, Psseig Picasso s/n, Parc Ciutadella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
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4
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Passarotto A, Morosinotto C, Brommer JE, Aaltonen E, Ahola K, Karstinen T, Karell P. Cold winters have morph-specific effects on natal dispersal distance in a wild raptor. Behav Ecol 2021; 33:419-427. [PMID: 35444494 PMCID: PMC9015216 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Dispersal is a key process with crucial implications in spatial distribution, density, and genetic structure of species’ populations. Dispersal strategies can vary according to both individual and environmental features, but putative phenotype-by-environment interactions have rarely been accounted for. Melanin-based color polymorphism is a phenotypic trait associated with specific behavioral and physiological profiles and is, therefore, a good candidate trait to study dispersal tactics in different environments. Here, using a 40 years dataset of a population of color polymorphic tawny owls (Strix aluco), we investigated natal dispersal distance of recruiting gray and pheomelanic reddish-brown (hereafter brown) color morphs in relation to post-fledging winter temperature and individual characteristics. Because morphs are differently sensitive to cold winters, we predicted that morphs’ natal dispersal distances vary according to winter conditions. Winter temperature did not affect the proportion of brown (or gray) among recruits. We found that dispersal distances correlate with winter temperature in an opposite manner in the two morphs. Although the gray morph undertakes larger movements in harsher conditions, likely because it copes better with winter severity, the brown morph disperses shorter distances when winters are harsher. We discuss this morph-specific natal dispersal pattern in the context of competition for territories between morphs and in terms of costs and benefits of these alternative strategies. Our results stress the importance of considering the interaction between phenotype and environment to fully disentangle dispersal movement patterns and provide further evidence that climate affects the behavior and local distribution of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Passarotto
- University of Seville, Department of Zoology, Sevilla, Spain
- Bioeconomy Research Team, Novia University of Applied Sciences, Raseborgsvägen 9, FI-10600 Raseborg, Finland
| | - Chiara Morosinotto
- Bioeconomy Research Team, Novia University of Applied Sciences, Raseborgsvägen 9, FI-10600 Raseborg, Finland
- Evolutionary Ecology Unit, Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 39 (Ecology Building), SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jon E Brommer
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
| | | | - Kari Ahola
- Tornihaukantie 8D 72, FI-02620 Espoo, Finland
| | | | - Patrik Karell
- Bioeconomy Research Team, Novia University of Applied Sciences, Raseborgsvägen 9, FI-10600 Raseborg, Finland
- Evolutionary Ecology Unit, Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 39 (Ecology Building), SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden
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5
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Eccles GR, Bethell EJ, Greggor AL, Mettke-Hofmann C. Individual Variation in Dietary Wariness Is Predicted by Head Color in a Specialist Feeder, the Gouldian Finch. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.772812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Shifts in resource availability due to environmental change are increasingly confronting animals with unfamiliar food types. Species that can rapidly accept new food types may be better adapted to ecological change. Intuitively, dietary generalists are expected to accept new food types when resources change, while dietary specialists would be more averse to adopting novel food. However, most studies investigating changes in dietary breadth focus on generalist species and do not delve into potential individual predictors of dietary wariness and the social factors modulating these responses. We investigated dietary wariness in the Gouldian finch, a dietary specialist, that is expected to avoid novel food. This species occurs in two main head colors (red, black), which signal personality in other contexts. We measured their initial neophobic responses (approach attempts before first feed and latency to first feed) and willingness to incorporate novel food into their diet (frequency of feeding on novel food after first feed). Birds were tested in same-sex pairs in same and different head color pairings balanced across experiments 1 and 2. Familiar and novel food (familiar food dyed) were presented simultaneously across 5 days for 3 h, each. Gouldian finches fed on the familiar food first demonstrating food neophobia, and these latencies were repeatable. Birds made more approach attempts before feeding on novel than familiar food, particularly red-headed birds in experiment 1 and when partnered with a black-headed bird. Individuals consistently differed in their rate of incorporation of novel food, with clear differences between head colors; red-headed birds increased their feeding visits to novel food across experimentation equaling their familiar food intake by day five, while black-headed birds continually favored familiar food. Results suggest consistent among individual differences in response to novel food with red-headed birds being adventurous consumers and black-headed birds dietary conservatives. The differences in food acceptance aligned with responses to novel environments on the individual level (found in an earlier study) providing individuals with an adaptive combination of novelty responses across contexts in line with potential differences in movement patterns. Taken together, these novelty responses could aid in population persistence when faced with environmental changes.
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6
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Ferrer ES, Uribe F, Sanz JJ, Senar JC. Are plumage colour and song redundant ornaments in great tits ( Parus major)? It depends on the colour. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blab063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
According to current theory, the development of different conspicuous ornaments may provide multiple, redundant or unreliable information. However, multiple visual and acoustic traits have not often been tested at the same time. In this study, we analyse whether black tie size, yellow breast colour indexes (chroma and hue) and song parameters (repertoire size, strophe length, maximum and minimum frequency) are inter-correlated in male great tits (Parus major). We found that males with larger black ties sang greater repertoires and had higher song frequencies, providing redundant information. However, song parameters did not correlate with hue and chroma of the yellow breast coloration, supporting the idea that they convey different units of information. Results therefore stress that since different plumaged patches can transmit very different units of information, bird song will correlate to plumage coloration traits depending on the patch and the colour considered, an aspect rarely taken into account in previous studies relating song to plumage colour traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza S Ferrer
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC), CalleJosé Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francesc Uribe
- Evolutionary and Behavioural Ecology Unit, Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, P.Picasso s/n, Parc Ciutadella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan José Sanz
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC), CalleJosé Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Joan Carles Senar
- Evolutionary and Behavioural Ecology Unit, Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, P.Picasso s/n, Parc Ciutadella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
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7
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Diatroptov ME, Opaev AS, Surov AV. Ultradian Rhythms of Body Temperature Are Associated with Temperament in Greenfinch (Chloris chloris, Fringillidae, Aves). DOKLADY BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES : PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE USSR, BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES SECTIONS 2021; 499:93-96. [PMID: 34462833 DOI: 10.1134/s0012496621040025] [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: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Previously, in male Greenfinch, we have described ultradian rhythms of body temperature with periods of 3-6, 8-10, 12-20, and 40-60 min. There are individual variations in this rhythmicity. Rhythms with a period of 3-7 min are more characteristic of some males but not for the others. These males had small values of the ratio of the harmonic spectral density in the range of 12-20 min to the harmonic spectral density in the range of 3-7 min. In this study, we hypothesized that ultradian rhythmicity of body temperature fluctuations is related to the nervous system activity in general and to temperament in particular. We have conducted two sets of experiments for estimating the aggression level (n = 12 males) and reaction to novelty (n = 17). Individuals with predominant rhythms with a period of 3-7 min are less aggressive and more slowly adapt to new conditions. Thus, the ultradian body temperature rhythmicity in Greenfinch is related to their behavioral features and temperament.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Diatroptov
- Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071, Moscow, Russia.
| | - A S Opaev
- Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071, Moscow, Russia
| | - A V Surov
- Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071, Moscow, Russia
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8
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Fülöp A, Lukács D, Fábián PI, Kocsis B, Csöppü G, Bereczki J, Barta Z. Sex-specific signalling of individual personality by a mutual plumage ornament in a passerine. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-02971-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
The significance of colour signals in species with strong sexual dimorphism and/or elaborated visual ornaments is rather well-understood. Less attention has, however, been devoted to study colour signals in species with weak or no apparent sexual dimorphism. In such species, an interesting possibility arises as both sexes can bear the same colour ornament(s) (i.e. sexes are mutually ornamented), but their signalling value might differ in males and females. We aimed to explore this possibility by investigating the phenotypic correlates of the black bib, a melanin-based plumage ornament, in the Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus). More specifically, we studied the sex-dependent relationships between bib size and three aspects of individuals’ phenotype: body condition (i.e. size-corrected body mass), physiology (i.e. cellular innate immunity/inflammation status, expressed through total leucocyte counts, and chronic physiological stress, expressed through the ratio of heterophils to lymphocytes) and individual personality (i.e. activity in a novel environment). We found that bib size was not associated with body condition and cellular innate immunity/inflammation status, but was positively related to physiological stress levels independent of sex. Furthermore, bib size was negatively associated with activity in males but positively in females. Our findings bring important correlative evidence that mutual ornamental traits may have sex-specific signalling value.
Significance statement
The signalling role of elaborated colourful ornaments, that are usually possessed only by males in sexually dimorphic species, is well-established. The function of various colour traits which are borne by both sexes (i.e. mutual ornaments), however, is less obvious. Do they have a signalling value in both sexes? If yes, do they signal the same information in males and females? Or, most intriguingly, can they convey different information in the two sexes? To test these alternatives, we studied the signalling value of the black bib, a melanin-based mutual plumage ornament, in Eurasian tree sparrows (Passer montanus). Apart from being correlated with chronic stress in both sexes, bib size was positively related to activity in females but negatively in males. Our results suggest that the information content of the same colour trait in males and females can be different in mutually ornamented species.
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9
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Mettke-Hofmann C, Eccles GR, Greggor AL, Bethell EJ. Cognition in a Changing World: Red-Headed Gouldian Finches Enter Spatially Unfamiliar Habitats More Readily Than Do Black-Headed Birds. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.498347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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10
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San-Jose LM, Roulin A. On the Potential Role of the Neural Crest Cells in Integrating Pigmentation Into Behavioral and Physiological Syndromes. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
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11
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Horváth G, Jiménez‐Robles O, Martín J, López P, De la Riva I, Herczeg G. Linking behavioral thermoregulation, boldness, and individual state in male Carpetan rock lizards. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:10230-10241. [PMID: 33005378 PMCID: PMC7520217 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms affecting consistent interindividual behavioral variation (i.e., animal personality) are of wide scientific interest. In poikilotherms, ambient temperature is one of the most important environmental factors with a direct link to a variety of fitness-related traits. Recent empirical evidence suggests that individual differences in boldness are linked to behavioral thermoregulation strategy in heliothermic species, as individuals are regularly exposed to predators during basking. Here, we tested for links between behavioral thermoregulation strategy, boldness, and individual state in adult males of the high-mountain Carpetan rock lizard (Iberolacerta cyreni). Principal component analysis revealed the following latent links in our data: (i) a positive relationship of activity with relative limb length and color brightness (PC1, 23% variation explained), (ii) a negative relationship of thermoregulatory precision with parasite load and risk-taking (PC2, 20.98% variation explained), and (iii) a negative relationship between preferred body temperature and relative limb length (PC3, 19.23% variation explained). We conclude that differences in boldness and behavioral thermoregulatory strategy could be explained by both stable and labile state variables. The moderate link between behavioral thermoregulatory strategy and risk-taking personality in our system is plausibly the result of differences in reproductive state of individuals or variation in ecological conditions during the breeding season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergely Horváth
- Behavioural Ecology GroupDepartment of Systematic Zoology and EcologyEötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Octavio Jiménez‐Robles
- Department of Ecology and EvolutionResearch School of BiologyAustralian National UniversityCanberraAustralia
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary BiologyMuseo Nacional de Ciencias NaturalesCSICMadridSpain
| | - José Martín
- Department of Evolutionary EcologyMuseo Nacional de Ciencias NaturalesCSICMadridSpain
| | - Pilar López
- Department of Evolutionary EcologyMuseo Nacional de Ciencias NaturalesCSICMadridSpain
| | - Ignacio De la Riva
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary BiologyMuseo Nacional de Ciencias NaturalesCSICMadridSpain
| | - Gábor Herczeg
- Behavioural Ecology GroupDepartment of Systematic Zoology and EcologyEötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
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12
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Angelier F. Pigeons in the sun: Thermal constraints of eumelanic plumage in the rock pigeon (Columba livia). J Therm Biol 2020; 90:102601. [PMID: 32479396 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2020.102601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
In wild vertebrates, several species exhibit eumelanic color polymorphism with the coexistence of dark and light morphs. The maintenance of such polymorphism suggests the existence of a selective balance between the morphs and a large body of literature has reported the costs and benefits of darker plumage coloration in birds. Among them, it has been suggested that melanin and dark plumage could entail high energetic costs especially under hot and sunny climates. However, to my knowledge, the thermal constraints of sun exposure have rarely been studied in polymorphic species. Here, we tested the impact of eumelanic plumage coloration on plumage and body temperatures, and evaporative cooling behavior in the polymorphic rock pigeon (Columbia livia). We experimentally exposed light and dark pigeons to direct sun radiation for 1 h while a few birds were maintained in the shade as controls. We found that sun exposure was associated with increased plumage temperature, and this effect was greater for darker pigeons. In addition, we found that sun exposure was also associated with higher cloacal temperature but for dark pigeons only. Finally, light and dark pigeons were more likely to show cooling evaporative behavior when exposed to sun and as their cloacal temperature increases. Altogether, these results suggest that darker pigeons may have a lower ability to cope with heat and solar radiations and that dark plumage can be associated with thermal costs in this polymorphic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Angelier
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS, La Rochelle Université, UMR, 7372, Villiers en Bois, France.
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13
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Santostefano F, Fanson KV, Endler JA, Biro PA. Behavioral, energetic, and color trait integration in male guppies: testing the melanocortin hypothesis. Behav Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arz109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Individuals of the same population differ consistently from each other in the average expression of behavioral and physiological traits. Often, such traits are integrated and thus correlated with each other. However, the underlying proximate mechanisms generating and maintaining this among-individual covariation are still poorly understood. The melanocortin hypothesis suggests that the melanocortin pathways can have pleiotropic effects linking the expression of melanin-based coloration with physiological and behavioral traits. In the present study, we test this hypothesis in adult male guppies (Poecilia reticulata), by estimating among individual correlations between behaviors (activity, feeding, boldness, display, and chase during courtship), stress response (peak metabolic rate), and coloration (black spot, fuzzy black, and orange). The lack of correlation of any behavior or metabolism with black coloration indicates that the melanocortin hypothesis is not supported in this species. However, we observed covariation among coloration traits, as well as among behavioral traits. Our findings suggest that, although there appear to be constraints within sets of related traits, coloration, physiology, and behaviors can potentially evolve as independent modules in response to selection in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Santostefano
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, Pavillon des sciences biologiques, du Président-Kennedy, Montréal, Canada
| | - Kerry V Fanson
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - John A Endler
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter A Biro
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
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14
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Costanzo A, Romano A, Ambrosini R, Parolini M, Rubolini D, Caprioli M, Corti M, Canova L, Saino N. Barn swallow antipredator behavior covaries with melanic coloration and predicts survival. Behav Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ary102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Costanzo
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Romano
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Building Biophore, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Roberto Ambrosini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Parolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria, Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Rubolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Caprioli
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria, Milan, Italy
| | - Margherita Corti
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Canova
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli, Pavia, Italy
| | - Nicola Saino
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria, Milan, Italy
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15
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Immonen E, Hämäläinen A, Schuett W, Tarka M. Evolution of sex-specific pace-of-life syndromes: genetic architecture and physiological mechanisms. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2018; 72:60. [PMID: 29576676 PMCID: PMC5856903 DOI: 10.1007/s00265-018-2462-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Sex differences in life history, physiology, and behavior are nearly ubiquitous across taxa, owing to sex-specific selection that arises from different reproductive strategies of the sexes. The pace-of-life syndrome (POLS) hypothesis predicts that most variation in such traits among individuals, populations, and species falls along a slow-fast pace-of-life continuum. As a result of their different reproductive roles and environment, the sexes also commonly differ in pace-of-life, with important consequences for the evolution of POLS. Here, we outline mechanisms for how males and females can evolve differences in POLS traits and in how such traits can covary differently despite constraints resulting from a shared genome. We review the current knowledge of the genetic basis of POLS traits and suggest candidate genes and pathways for future studies. Pleiotropic effects may govern many of the genetic correlations, but little is still known about the mechanisms involved in trade-offs between current and future reproduction and their integration with behavioral variation. We highlight the importance of metabolic and hormonal pathways in mediating sex differences in POLS traits; however, there is still a shortage of studies that test for sex specificity in molecular effects and their evolutionary causes. Considering whether and how sexual dimorphism evolves in POLS traits provides a more holistic framework to understand how behavioral variation is integrated with life histories and physiology, and we call for studies that focus on examining the sex-specific genetic architecture of this integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elina Immonen
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology Centre (EBC), Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18 D, SE-75 236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anni Hämäläinen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - Wiebke Schuett
- Zoological Institute, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maja Tarka
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Høgskoleringen 5, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
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Senar JC, Garamszegi LZ, Tilgar V, Biard C, Moreno-Rueda G, Salmón P, Rivas JM, Sprau P, Dingemanse NJ, Charmantier A, Demeyrier V, Navalpotro H, Isaksson C. Urban Great Tits (Parus major) Show Higher Distress Calling and Pecking Rates than Rural Birds across Europe. Front Ecol Evol 2017. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2017.00163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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17
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McQueen A, Naimo AC, Teunissen N, Magrath RD, Delhey K, Peters A. Bright birds are cautious: seasonally conspicuous plumage prompts risk avoidance by male superb fairy-wrens. Proc Biol Sci 2017; 284:rspb.2017.0446. [PMID: 28659448 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased predation risk is considered a cost of having conspicuous colours, affecting the anti-predator behaviour of colourful animals. However, this is difficult to test, as individual factors often covary with colour and behaviour. We used alarm call playback and behavioural observations to assess whether individual birds adjust their response to risk according to their plumage colour. Male superb fairy-wrens (Malurus cyaneus) change from a dull brown to conspicuous blue plumage each year, allowing the behaviour of different coloured birds to be compared while controlling for within-individual effects. Because the timing of colour change varies among males, blue and brown birds can also be compared at the same time of year, controlling for seasonal effects on behaviour. While blue, fairy-wrens fled more often in response to alarm calls, and took longer to emerge from cover. Blue fairy-wrens also spent more time foraging in cover and being vigilant. Group members appeared to benefit from the presence of blue males, as they reduced their response to alarms, and allocated less time to sentinel behaviour when a blue male was close by. We suggest that fairy-wrens perceive themselves to be at a higher risk of predation while in conspicuous plumage and adjust their behaviour accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra McQueen
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Annalise C Naimo
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Niki Teunissen
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Robert D Magrath
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
| | - Kaspar Delhey
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Anne Peters
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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18
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Bohls P, Koehnle TJ. Responses of Eastern Gray Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) to Predator Calls and Their Modulation by Coat Color. AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 2017. [DOI: 10.1674/0003-0031-178.2.226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Bohls
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, 1 Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis 95616
| | - Thomas J. Koehnle
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Biology, 11715 Garfield Rd, Hiram College, Hiram, Ohio 44234
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19
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San-Jose LM, Huyghe K, Schuerch J, Fitze PS. More melanized males bite stronger but run slower: potential performance trade-offs related to melanin-based coloration. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blx045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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20
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A novel role for pigment genes in the stress response in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Sci Rep 2016; 6:28969. [PMID: 27373344 PMCID: PMC4931468 DOI: 10.1038/srep28969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In many vertebrate species visible melanin-based pigmentation patterns correlate with high stress- and disease-resistance, but proximate mechanisms for this trait association remain enigmatic. Here we show that a missense mutation in a classical pigmentation gene, melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor (MC1R), is strongly associated with distinct differences in steroidogenic melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R) mRNA expression between high- (HR) and low-responsive (LR) rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). We also show experimentally that cortisol implants increase the expression of agouti signaling protein (ASIP) mRNA in skin, likely explaining the association between HR-traits and reduced skin melanin patterning. Molecular dynamics simulations predict that melanocortin 2 receptor accessory protein (MRAP), needed for MC2R function, binds differently to the two MC1R variants. Considering that mRNA for MC2R and the MC1R variants are present in head kidney cells, we hypothesized that MC2R activity is modulated in part by different binding affinities of the MC1R variants for MRAP. Experiments in mammalian cells confirmed that trout MRAP interacts with the two trout MC1R variants and MC2R, but failed to detect regulation of MC2R signaling, possibly due to high constitutive MC1R activity.
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Ibáñez A, Pellitteri-Rosa D, Sacchi R, López P, Martín J. Melanin-Based Coloration Covaries with Hiding and Exploratory Behavior in Male Spanish Terrapins. Ethology 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Ibáñez
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva; Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales; CSIC; Madrid Spain
| | - Daniele Pellitteri-Rosa
- Laboratorio di Eco-Etologia; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente; Università di Pavia; Pavia Italy
| | - Roberto Sacchi
- Laboratorio di Eco-Etologia; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente; Università di Pavia; Pavia Italy
| | - Pilar López
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva; Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales; CSIC; Madrid Spain
| | - José Martín
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva; Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales; CSIC; Madrid Spain
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23
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Senar JC, Pascual J. Prior residence effect in wintering male Eurasian siskins is not related to resource holding power. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-015-1923-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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24
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Pascual J, Senar JC. Antipredator behavioural compensation of proactive personality trait in male Eurasian siskins. Anim Behav 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Chichinadze K, Chichinadze N, Gachechiladze L, Lazarashvili A, Nikolaishvili M. Physical predictors, behavioural/emotional attributes and neurochemical determinants of dominant behaviour. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2014; 89:1005-20. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2013] [Revised: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin Chichinadze
- Laboratory of Behavior and Cognitive Functions; I. Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine; Gotua Street 14 0160 Tbilisi Georgia
- Department of Pathology; I. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University; 0128 Tbilisi Georgia
- Laboratory of Theoretical Investigations, Systemic Research Center; 0179 Tbilisi Georgia
| | - Nodar Chichinadze
- Department of Andrology; A. Natishvili Institute of Morphology; 0159 Tbilisi Georgia
| | - Ledi Gachechiladze
- Laboratory of Theoretical Investigations, Systemic Research Center; 0179 Tbilisi Georgia
| | - Ann Lazarashvili
- Laboratory of Theoretical Investigations, Systemic Research Center; 0179 Tbilisi Georgia
| | - Marina Nikolaishvili
- Laboratory of Problems of Radiation Safety, Department of Radiobiology; I. Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine; 0160 Tbilisi Georgia
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Saino N, Romano M, Scandolara C, Rubolini D, Ambrosini R, Caprioli M, Costanzo A, Romano A. Brownish, small and lousy barn swallows have greater natal dispersal propensity. Anim Behav 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Garamszegi LZ, Markó G, Herczeg G. A meta-analysis of correlated behaviors with implications for behavioral syndromes: relationships between particular behavioral traits. Behav Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/art033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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28
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van den Brink V, Dreiss AN, Roulin A. Melanin-based coloration predicts natal dispersal in the barn owl, Tyto alba. Anim Behav 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2012.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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29
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van den Brink V, Henry I, Wakamatsu K, Roulin A. Melanin-Based Coloration in Juvenile Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) Covaries with Anti-Predatory Personality Traits. Ethology 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2012.02057.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Isabelle Henry
- Department of Ecology and Evolution; University of Lausanne; Lausanne; Switzerland
| | - Kazumasa Wakamatsu
- Department of Chemistry; Fujita Health University School of Health Sciences; Toyoake; Aichi, Japan
| | - Alexandre Roulin
- Department of Ecology and Evolution; University of Lausanne; Lausanne; Switzerland
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