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Reinhold LM, Rymer TL, Helgen KM, Wilson DT. Photoluminescence in mammal fur: 111 years of research. J Mammal 2023; 104:892-906. [PMID: 37545668 PMCID: PMC10399922 DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyad027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Photoluminescence in the pelage of mammals, a topic that has gained considerable recent research interest, was first documented in the 1700s and reported sporadically in the literature over the last century. The first detailed species accounts were of rabbits and humans, published 111 years ago in 1911. Recent studies have largely overlooked this earlier research into photoluminescent mammalian taxa and their luminophores. Here we provide a comprehensive update on existing research on photoluminescence in mammal fur, with the intention of drawing attention to earlier pioneering research in this field. We provide an overview on appropriate terminology, explain the physics of photoluminescence, and explore pigmentation and the ubiquitous photoluminescence of animal tissues, before touching on the emerging debate regarding visual function. We then provide a chronological account of research into mammalian fur photoluminescence, from the earliest discoveries and identification of luminophores to the most recent studies. While all mammal fur is likely to have a general low-level photoluminescence due to the presence of the protein keratin, fur glows luminously under ultraviolet light if it contains significant concentrations of tryptophan metabolites or porphyrins. Finally, we briefly discuss issues associated with preserved museum specimens in studies of photoluminescence. The study of mammal fur photoluminescence has a substantial history, which provides a broad foundation on which future studies can be grounded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda M Reinhold
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, P.O. Box 6811, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia
| | - Tasmin L Rymer
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, P.O. Box 6811, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, James Cook University, P.O. Box 6811, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia
| | - Kristofer M Helgen
- Australian Museum Research Institute, 1 William Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - David T Wilson
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia
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2
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Toussaint SLD, Ponstein J, Thoury M, Métivier R, Kalthoff DC, Habermeyer B, Guilard R, Bock S, Mortensen P, Sandberg S, Gueriau P, Amson E. Fur glowing under ultraviolet: in situ analysis of porphyrin accumulation in the skin appendages of mammals. Integr Zool 2023; 18:15-26. [PMID: 35500584 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Examples of photoluminescence (PL) are being reported with increasing frequency in a wide range of organisms from diverse ecosystems. However, the chemical basis of this PL remains poorly defined, and our understanding of its potential ecological function is still superficial. Among mammals, recent analyses have identified free-base porphyrins as the compounds responsible for the reddish ultraviolet-induced photoluminescence (UV-PL) observed in the pelage of springhares and hedgehogs. However, the localization of the pigments within the hair largely remains to be determined. Here, we use photoluminescence multispectral imaging emission and excitation spectroscopy to detect, map, and characterize porphyrinic compounds in skin appendages in situ. We also document new cases of mammalian UV-PL caused by free-base porphyrins in distantly related species. Spatial distribution of the UV-PL is strongly suggestive of an endogenous origin of the porphyrinic compounds. We argue that reddish UV-PL is predominantly observed in crepuscular and nocturnal mammals because porphyrins are photodegradable. Consequently, this phenomenon may not have a specific function in intra- or interspecific communication but rather represents a byproduct of potentially widespread physiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Séverine L D Toussaint
- AG Vergleichende Zoologie, Institut für Biologie, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jasper Ponstein
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany.,AG Paläobiologie und Evolution, Institut für Biologie, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mathieu Thoury
- IPANEMA, CNRS, ministère de la Culture, UVSQ, MNHN, USR3461, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Rémi Métivier
- Université Paris-Saclay, ENS Paris-Saclay, CNRS, PPSM, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Daniela C Kalthoff
- Department of Zoology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Roger Guilard
- ICMUB, UMR CNRS 6302, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, France
| | - Steffen Bock
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Mortensen
- Department of Zoology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sverre Sandberg
- Norwegian Porphyria Centre (NAPOS), Haukeland University Hospital, Norwegian Organization for Quality Improvement of Laboratory Examinations (Noklus), and Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Pierre Gueriau
- IPANEMA, CNRS, ministère de la Culture, UVSQ, MNHN, USR3461, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.,Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eli Amson
- Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
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3
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He G, Zhang C, Dong Z. Survival in desert: Extreme water adaptations and bioinspired structural designs. iScience 2022; 26:105819. [PMID: 36636349 PMCID: PMC9830228 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Deserts are the driest places in the world, desert creatures have evolved special adaptations to survive in this extreme water shortage environment. The collection and transport of condensed water have been of particular interest regarding the potential transfer of the underlying mechanisms to technical applications. In this review, the mechanisms of water capture and transport were first summarized. Secondly, an introduction of four typical desert creatures including cactus, desert beetles, lizards, and snakes which have special adaptations to manage water was elaborated. Thirdly, the recent progress of biomimetic water-collecting structures including cactus, desert beetles, and lizards inspired designs and the influence of overflow on water collection was demonstrated. Finally, the conclusions were drawn, and future issues were pointed out. The present study will further promote research on bioinspired water management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guandi He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China,School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chengqi Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China,Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China,Corresponding author
| | - Zhichao Dong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China,School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China,Corresponding author
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Techniques for documenting and quantifying biofluorescence through digital photography and color quantization. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpap.2022.100149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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5
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Maria M, Al-Razi H, Borzée A, Bin Muzaffar S. Biofluorescence in the herpetofauna of northeast Bangladesh. HERPETOZOA 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.35.e76225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorescence is a poorly documented phenomenon in vertebrates and has been suggested to play several biological roles. With increased study, the number of species in which biofluorescence has been identified is increasing steadily. We conducted a UV light survey for biofluorescence in the herpetofauna in Lawachara National Park, Bangladesh and found biofluorescence in one amphibian (Microhyla berdmorei) and three reptile species (Boiga cyanea, Cyrtodactylus tripuraensis and Hemidactylus platyurus).
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Daney de Marcillac W, Nguyen LTP, Aracheloff C, Berthier S, Schöllhorn B. Bright green fluorescence of Asian paper wasp nests. J R Soc Interface 2021; 18:20210418. [PMID: 34428946 PMCID: PMC8385335 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
An exceptionally bright fluorescent biomatter was discovered when exploring, with UV-A light, the nests of several oriental paper wasp species of the genus Polistes, a genus of diurnal social insects. Fluorescence spectra of the cocoon cap membranes revealed narrow emission bands in the green range of the visible spectrum. Large Stokes shifts of around 160 nm and high fluorescence quantum yields of up to 35% were measured. Transmission spectra were recorded in order to estimate the contribution of the fluorescence to the visible light transmitted through the cocoon cap membrane. The nest fluorescence of the Vietnamese wasps was compared with a European and an American species. Potential biological functions of these interesting fluorescence properties of the studied biomaterial are discussed. The discovery of this striking example of a fluorescent terrestrial biomaterial may contribute to the debate on adaptive biological functions of natural fluorescence and falls in line with the growing interest in biodiversity and bio-inspiration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lien Thi Phuong Nguyen
- Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Nghia Do, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Nghia Do, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Camille Aracheloff
- Institut des Nanoscience de Paris, UMR 7588 CNRS - Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Serge Berthier
- Institut des Nanoscience de Paris, UMR 7588 CNRS - Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Bernd Schöllhorn
- Université de Paris - Laboratoire d'Electrochimie Moléculaire, CNRS, F-75006 Paris, France
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Hamchand R, Lafountain AM, Büchel R, Maas KR, Hird SM, Warren M, Frank HA, Brückner C. Red Fluorescence of European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) Spines Results from Free-Base Porphyrins of Potential Microbial Origin. J Chem Ecol 2021; 47:588-596. [PMID: 33948884 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-021-01279-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Bioluminescence has been recognized as an important means for inter- and intra-species communication. A growing number of reports of red fluorescence occurring in keratinaceous materials have become available. The fluorophore(s) in these cases were shown to be, or suspected to be, free base porphyrins. The red fluorescence found in the downs of bustards was associated with inter-species signaling in mate selection. First reported in 1925, we confirm that spines of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) when irradiated with UV (365-395 nm) light display red fluorescence localized in the light-colored sections of their proximal ends. Using reflectance fluorescence spectroscopy, we confirmed that the fluorophores responsible for the emission are free-base porphyrins, as suspected in the original report. Base-induced degradation of the spine matrix and subsequent HPLC, UV-vis, and ESI+ mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of a mixture of coproporphyrin III and uroporphyrin III as predominant porphyrins and a minor fraction of protoporphyrin IX. Investigation of the spine microbiome uncovered the abundant presence of bacteria known to secrete and/or interconvert porphyrins and that are not present on the non-fluorescing quills of the North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum). Given this circumstantial evidence, we propose the porphyrins could originate from commensal bacteria. Furthermore, we hypothesize that the fluorescence may be incidental and of no biological function for the hedgehog.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randy Hamchand
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Unit 3060, Storrs, CT, 06269-3060, USA
| | - Amy M Lafountain
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Unit 3060, Storrs, CT, 06269-3060, USA
| | - Rhea Büchel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Unit 3060, Storrs, CT, 06269-3060, USA
| | - Kendra R Maas
- Microbial Analysis, Resources, and Services (MARS), University of Connecticut, Unit-3032, Storrs, CT, 06269-3032, USA
| | - Sarah M Hird
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Unit 3125, Storrs, CT, 06269-3125, USA
| | - Martin Warren
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Harry A Frank
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Unit 3060, Storrs, CT, 06269-3060, USA
| | - Christian Brückner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Unit 3060, Storrs, CT, 06269-3060, USA.
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8
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Nicolaï MPJ, D'Alba L, Goldenberg J, Gansemans Y, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Clusella-Trullas S, Shawkey MD. Untangling the structural and molecular mechanisms underlying colour and rapid colour change in a lizard, Agama atra. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:2262-2284. [PMID: 33772941 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
With functions as diverse as communication, protection and thermoregulation, coloration is one of the most important traits in lizards. The ability to change colour as a function of varying social and environmental conditions is thus an important innovation. While colour change is present in animals ranging from squids, to fish and reptiles, not much is known about the mechanisms behind it. Traditionally, colour change was attributed to migration of pigments, in particular melanin. More recent work has shown that the changes in nanostructural configuration inside iridophores are able to produce a wide palette of colours. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying colour, and colour change in particular, remain unstudied. Here we use a combination of transcriptomic and microscopic data to show that melanin, iridophores and pteridines are the main colour-producing mechanisms in Agama atra, and provide molecular and structural data suggesting that rapid colour change is achieved via melanin dispersal in combination with iridophore organization. This work demonstrates the power of combining genotypic (gene expression) and phenotypic (microscopy) information for addressing physiological questions, providing a basis for future studies of colour change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaël P J Nicolaï
- Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, Department of Biology, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Liliana D'Alba
- Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, Department of Biology, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jonathan Goldenberg
- Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, Department of Biology, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yannick Gansemans
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Filip Van Nieuwerburgh
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Susana Clusella-Trullas
- Department of Botany and Zoology & Centre for Invasion Biology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Matthew D Shawkey
- Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, Department of Biology, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
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