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Allam NAT, Hamouda RAEF, Sedky D, Abdelsalam ME, El-Gawad MEHA, Hassan NMF, Aboelsoued D, Elmaaty AMA, Ibrahim MA, Taie HAA, Hakim AS, Desouky HM, Megeed KNA, Abdel-Hamid MS. Medical prospects of cryptosporidiosis in vivo control using biofabricated nanoparticles loaded with Cinnamomum camphora extracts by Ulva fasciata. Vet World 2024; 17:108-124. [PMID: 38406364 PMCID: PMC10884584 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.108-124] [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] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Global efforts are continuing to develop preparations against cryptosporidiosis. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of biosynthesized Ulva fasciata loading Cinnamomum camphora oil extract on new zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs shorten to ZnNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as alternative treatments for Cryptosporidium parvum experimental infection in rats. Materials and Methods Oil extract was characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, loaded by U. fasciata on ionic-based ZnO and NPs, and then characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Biosafety and toxicity were investigated by skin tests. A total of 105 C. parvum oocysts/rat were used (n = 81, 2-3 W, 80-120 g, 9 male rats/group). Oocysts shedding was counted for 21 d. Doses of each preparation in addition to reference drug were administered daily for 7 d, starting on post-infection (PI) day (3). Nitazoxanide (100 mg) was used as the reference drug. After 3 weeks, the rats were sacrificed for postmortem examination and histopathological examination. Two blood samples/rat/group were collected on the 21st day. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid blood samples were also used for analysis of biochemistry, hematology, immunology, micronucleus prevalence, and chromosomal abnormalities. Results C. camphora leaves yielded 28.5 ± 0.3 g/kg oil and 20 phycocompounds were identified. Spherical and rod-shaped particles were detected at 10.47-30.98 nm and 18.83-38.39 nm, respectively. ZnNPs showed the earliest anti-cryptosporidiosis effect during 7-17 d PI. Other hematological, biochemical, immunological, histological, and genotoxicity parameters were significantly fruitful; hence, normalized pathological changes induced by infestation were observed in the NPs treatments groups against the infestation-free and Nitazoxanide treated group. Conclusion C. camphora, U. fasciata, ZnNPs, and AgNPs have refluxed the pathological effects of infection as well as positively improved host physiological condition by its anticryptosporidial immunostimulant regenerative effects with sufficient ecofriendly properties to be proposed as an alternative to traditional drugs, especially in individuals with medical reactions against chemical commercial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nesreen Allam Tantawy Allam
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth Street, Dokki, P.O. Box: 12622, Giza, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ragaa Abd El-Fatah Hamouda
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, University of Sadat City, 5 Zone, Sadat City, Munofia, Egypt
| | - Doaa Sedky
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth Street, Dokki, P.O. Box: 12622, Giza, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahinour Ezzeldin Abdelsalam
- Department of General Biology, Center of Basic Sciences, Misr University for Science and Technology, Al Motamayez District, 6 of October, Giza, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Noha Mahmoud Fahmy Hassan
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth Street, Dokki, P.O. Box: 12622, Giza, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Dina Aboelsoued
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth Street, Dokki, P.O. Box: 12622, Giza, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amal M. Abou Elmaaty
- Department of Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth Street, Dokki, P.O. Box: 12622, Giza, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Muhammad A. Ibrahim
- Cytogenetics and Animal Cell Culture Lab., National Gene Bank, Agriculture Research Center, 9 Gamaa Street, Giza, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hanan Anwar Aly Taie
- Department of Plant Biochemistry, Agriculture and Biological Researches Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El-Bohouth St. (Former El-Tahrir St.), Dokki, P.O. 12622, Giza, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ashraf Samir Hakim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth Street, Dokki, P.O. Box: 12622, Giza, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hassan Mohamed Desouky
- Department of Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth Street, Dokki, P.O. Box: 12622, Giza, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Kadria Nasr Abdel Megeed
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth Street, Dokki, P.O. Box: 12622, Giza, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Marwa Salah Abdel-Hamid
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, University of Sadat City, 5 Zone, Sadat City, Munofia, Egypt
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Doherty CTM, Laidre ME. Doors to the Homes: Signal Potential of Red Coloration of Claws in Social Hermit Crabs. Integr Org Biol 2023; 5:obad018. [PMID: 37323238 PMCID: PMC10263385 DOI: 10.1093/iob/obad018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Red coloration on a signaler's body may be an informative signal in many animals. For species that inhabit architecture (e.g., burrows, nests, or other structures), certain parts of the body are more exposed than others, potentially serving as superior platforms for signaling via coloration. Yet whether animals differentially advertise red coloration on body parts that are more versus less exposed from their architecture remains to be tested. Here, we systematically quantified red coloration in social hermit crabs (Coenobita compressus). These crabs inhabit architecturally remodeled shells and have claws that visibly block the shell entrance, like doors to their homes. We hypothesized that red coloration of claws may be a signal of resource-holding potential (RHP). Consistent with this RHP signaling hypothesis, we found that within the same individuals' bodies, exposed claws showed significantly greater red coloration than unexposed carapaces. Furthermore, larger body size predicted greater red coloration of claws. Competing hypotheses (e.g., interspecific signaling, camouflage, and UV protection), while not explicitly tested, nevertheless appear unlikely based on natural history. Red claw coloration may therefore function as a signal to conspecifics, and experiments are now needed to test recipient responses. Broadly, relative to surrounding architecture, exposed body surfaces offer rich potential as signaling platforms for coloration.
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Shi A, Ma H, Shi X, Zhou W, Pan W, Song Y, Chen Q, Yu X, Niu C, Yang Y, Cheng Y, Yang X. Effects of microbe-derived antioxidants on growth, digestive and aminotransferase activities, and antioxidant capacities in the hepatopancreas of Eriocheir sinensis under ammonia nitrogen stress. AQUACULTURE AND FISHERIES 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aaf.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Costantini D. A meta-analysis of impacts of immune response and infection on oxidative status in vertebrates. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 10:coac018. [PMID: 35492421 PMCID: PMC9040321 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coac018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Inferring from patterns observed in biomedical research, ecoimmunological theory predicts that oxidative stress is a ubiquitous physiological cost that contributes to generating variation in immune function between individuals or species. This prediction is, however, often challenged by empirical studies testing the relationship between immune response or infection and oxidative status markers. This points out the importance of combining ecological immunology and oxidative stress ecology to further our understanding of the proximate causes and fitness consequences of individual variation in health, and adaptability to natural and anthropogenic environmental changes. I reviewed evidence and performed phylogenetic meta-analyses of changes in oxidative status markers owing to either injection of an antigen or infection in captive and free-living vertebrates (141 studies, 1262 effect sizes, 97 species). The dataset was dominated by studies on fish, birds and mammals, which provided 95.8% of effect sizes. Both antigen injection and parasite exposure were associated with changes of oxidative status. There were significant effects of taxonomic class and experimental environment (captivity vs. wild). In contrast with my predictions, age category (young vs. adult), study design (correlational vs. experimental) and proxies of pace of life (clutch size, litter size, and body mass; for birds and mammals only) were negligible in this dataset. Several methodological aspects (type of immunostimulant, laboratory assay, tissue analysed) showed significant effects on both strength and direction of effect. My results suggest that alterations of oxidative status are a widespread consequence of immune function across vertebrates. However, this work also identified heterogeneity in strength and direction of effect sizes, which suggests that immune function does not necessarily result in oxidative stress. Finally, this work identifies methodological caveats that might be relevant for the interpretation and comparability of results and for the application in conservation programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Costantini
- Unité Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation, UMR 7221, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, CP32, 57 rue Cuvier 75005 Paris, France
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5
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Wang X, Liu B, Gao X, Wang X, Li H, Xu L, Wang G, Zhao K, Huang B. The Effects of Different UVA Photoperiods on the Growth Performance, Immune Responses, Antioxidant Status and Apoptosis-Related Gene Expression of the Pacific White Shrimp ( Penaeus vannamei). Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 11:37. [PMID: 35052914 PMCID: PMC8772722 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11010037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
UVA is the most common type of solar UV radiation in aquatic environments; however, the effects it causes in shrimp farming in recirculating water systems (RAS) is unclear. Thus, the growth performance, immune responses, antioxidant status and apoptosis-related gene expression in Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei (body weight 9.56 ± 0.10 g), reared with 12L: 12D full spectrum light as background light under five UVA (peak at 400 nm) photoperiods (0L: 24D, 2L: 22D, 4L: 20D, 8L: 16D and 12L: 12D) at a light intensity of 1 W/m2 were investigated. The results showed that the 2L: 22D and 4L: 20D UVA photoperiods enhanced the growth performance and reduced the feed conversion ratio and the shrimp mortality. Shrimp exposed to UVA (2L: 22D and 4L: 20D) also displayed higher levels of hepatopancreas catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), acid phosphatase (ACP), phenol oxidase (PO) and lysozyme (LZM) compared to the 8L: 16D and 12L: 12D groups. The malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased in line with the extension of the UVA irradiation time. The mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes in all the UVA treatments were significantly higher than with the control treatment, except for the 2L: 22D group. The results of the 2L: 22D and 4L: 20D treatments were significantly higher than those of the control group, except for LGBP. In conclusion, 2L: 22D and 4L: 20D UVA photoperiods increased growth performance and decreased FCR, improved the innate immunity and antioxidant response and reduced the mortality rate in adult shrimp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Wang
- Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao Key Laboratory for Marine Fish Breeding and Biotechnology, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (X.W.); (X.G.); (X.W.); (H.L.); (L.X.); (K.Z.); (B.H.)
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Baoliang Liu
- Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao Key Laboratory for Marine Fish Breeding and Biotechnology, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (X.W.); (X.G.); (X.W.); (H.L.); (L.X.); (K.Z.); (B.H.)
| | - Xiaoqiang Gao
- Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao Key Laboratory for Marine Fish Breeding and Biotechnology, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (X.W.); (X.G.); (X.W.); (H.L.); (L.X.); (K.Z.); (B.H.)
| | - Xi Wang
- Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao Key Laboratory for Marine Fish Breeding and Biotechnology, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (X.W.); (X.G.); (X.W.); (H.L.); (L.X.); (K.Z.); (B.H.)
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Hongxu Li
- Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao Key Laboratory for Marine Fish Breeding and Biotechnology, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (X.W.); (X.G.); (X.W.); (H.L.); (L.X.); (K.Z.); (B.H.)
| | - Liang Xu
- Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao Key Laboratory for Marine Fish Breeding and Biotechnology, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (X.W.); (X.G.); (X.W.); (H.L.); (L.X.); (K.Z.); (B.H.)
| | - Guiming Wang
- Yuhai Hongqi Ocean Engineering Co. LTD, Rizhao 276800, China;
| | - Kuifeng Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao Key Laboratory for Marine Fish Breeding and Biotechnology, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (X.W.); (X.G.); (X.W.); (H.L.); (L.X.); (K.Z.); (B.H.)
- Yuhai Hongqi Ocean Engineering Co. LTD, Rizhao 276800, China;
| | - Bin Huang
- Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao Key Laboratory for Marine Fish Breeding and Biotechnology, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (X.W.); (X.G.); (X.W.); (H.L.); (L.X.); (K.Z.); (B.H.)
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Ecological effects on female bill colour explain plastic sexual dichromatism in a mutually-ornamented bird. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14970. [PMID: 34294752 PMCID: PMC8298529 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93897-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex differences in ornamentation are common and, in species with conventional sex roles, are generally thought of as stable, due to stronger sexual selection on males. Yet, especially in gregarious species, ornaments can also have non-sexual social functions, raising the possibility that observed sex differences in ornamentation are plastic. For example, females may invest in costly ornamentation more plastically, to protect body and reproductive ability in more adverse ecological conditions. We tested this hypothesis with experimental work on the mutually-ornamented common waxbill (Estrilda astrild), supplementing their diets either with pigmentary (lutein, a carotenoid) or non-pigmentary (vitamin E) antioxidants, or alleviating winter cold temperature. We found that both lutein and vitamin E supplementation increased red bill colour saturation in females, reaching the same mean saturation as males, which supports the hypothesis that female bill colour is more sensitive to environmental or physiological conditions. The effect of vitamin E, a non-pigment antioxidant, suggests that carotenoids were released from their antioxidant functions. Alleviating winter cold did not increase bill colour saturation in either sex, but increased the stability of female bill colour over time, suggesting that female investment in bill colour is sensitive to cold-mediated stress. Together, results show that waxbill bill sexual dichromatism is not stable. Instead, sexual dichromatism can be modulated, and even disappear completely, due to ecology-mediated plastic adjustments in female bill colour.
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Kawamoto A, Le Galliard JF, Badiane A. The role of social costs as a mechanism enforcing the honesty of ultraviolet-reflecting signals in a lizard. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blab008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
According to animal signalling theory, social costs incurred by aggressive conspecifics are one mechanism maintaining signal honesty. Although our understanding of signal evolution has much improved for pigment-based colours, the mechanisms maintaining the honesty of structural colour signals, such as ultraviolet (UV), remain elusive. Here, we used the common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) to test whether the honesty of UV-reflecting signals displayed on male throats is under social control. To do so, we staged agonistic interactions between non-manipulated focal males and opponents of either larger or smaller body size. We manipulated the UV component of the male throat colour patch to create small cheaters with UV-enhanced throats, large cheaters with UV-reduced throats, and their respective controls. In support of a conventional signal hypothesis, focal males were aggressive towards large cheaters and became submissive when these large cheaters retaliated, and were less submissive against small cheaters. However, that focal males were not more aggressive towards small cheaters contradicts our initial predictions. We confirm that male UV reflectance and bite force were good predictors of contest outcomes in control conditions. Overall, we provide partial evidence suggesting that social costs enforce UV signal honesty in common lizards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kawamoto
- Institut d’écologie et des sciences de l’environnement (IEES), CNRS, IRD, INRA, Sorbonne Université, 4 Place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Jean-François Le Galliard
- Institut d’écologie et des sciences de l’environnement (IEES), CNRS, IRD, INRA, Sorbonne Université, 4 Place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
- Centre de recherche en écologie expérimentale et prédictive (CEREEP-Ecotron IleDeFrance), Département de biologie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, PSL Research University, UMS 3194, 11 Chemin de Busseau, 77140 Saint-Pierre-lès-Nemours, France
| | - Arnaud Badiane
- Institut d’écologie et des sciences de l’environnement (IEES), CNRS, IRD, INRA, Sorbonne Université, 4 Place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
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Peneaux C, Machovsky-Capuska GE, Endler JA, Griffin AS. Eat yourself sexy: how selective macronutrient intake influences the expression of a visual signal in common mynas. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:237821. [PMID: 33758023 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.241349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Producing colored signals often requires consuming dietary carotenoid pigments. Evidence that food deprivation can reduce coloration, however, raises the question of whether other dietary nutrients contribute to signal coloration, and furthermore, whether individuals can voluntarily select food combinations to achieve optimal coloration. We created a two-way factorial design to manipulate macronutrient and carotenoid access in common mynas (Acridotheres tristis) and measured eye patch coloration as a function of the food combinations individuals selected. Mynas had access to either water or carotenoid-supplemented water and could either eat a standard captive diet or choose freely between three nutritionally defined pellets (protein, lipid or carbohydrate). Mynas supplemented with both carotenoids and macronutrient pellets had higher color scores than control birds. Male coloration tended to respond more to nutritional manipulation than females, with color scores improving in macronutrient- and carotenoid-supplemented individuals compared with controls. All mynas consuming carotenoids had higher levels of plasma carotenoids, but only males showed a significant increase by the end of the experiment. Dietary carotenoids and macronutrient intake consumed in combination tended to increase plasma carotenoid concentrations the most. These results demonstrate for the first time that consuming specific combinations of macronutrients along with carotenoids contributes to optimizing a colorful signal, and point to sex-specific nutritional strategies. Our findings improve our knowledge of how diet choices affect signal expression and, by extension, how nutritionally impoverished diets, such as those consumed by birds in cities, might affect sexual selection processes and, ultimately, population dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Peneaux
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Gabriel E Machovsky-Capuska
- Charles Perkins Centre and Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - John A Endler
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Andrea S Griffin
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
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Powers MJ, Hill GE. A review and assessment of the Shared-Pathway Hypothesis for the maintenance of signal honesty in red ketocarotenoid-based coloration. Integr Comp Biol 2021; 61:1811-1826. [PMID: 33940618 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icab056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, scientists have noted connections between individual condition and carotenoid-based coloration in terrestrial and aquatic animals. Organisms that produce more vibrant carotenoid-based coloration tend to have better physiological performance and behavioral displays compared to less colorful members of the same species. Traditional explanations for this association between ornamental coloration and performance invoked the need for color displays to be costly, but evidence for such hypothesized costs is equivocal. An alternative explanation for the condition-dependence of carotenoid-based coloration, the Shared-Pathway Hypothesis, was developed in response. This hypothesis proposes that red ketocarotenoid-based coloration is tied to core cellular processes involving a shared pathway with mitochondrial energy metabolism, making the concentration of carotenoids an index of mitochondrial function. Since the presentation of this hypothesis, empirical tests of the mechanisms proposed therein have been conducted in many species. In this manuscript, we review the Shared-Pathway Hypothesis and the growing number of studies that have investigated a connection between carotenoid-based coloration and mitochondrial function. We also discuss future strategies for assessing the Shared-Pathway Hypothesis to more effectively disentangle evidence that may simultaneously support evidence of carotenoid-resource tradeoffs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Powers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849 USA
| | - Geoffrey E Hill
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849 USA
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Cantarero A, Mateo R, Camarero PR, Alonso D, Fernandez‐Eslava B, Alonso‐Alvarez C. Testing the shared‐pathway hypothesis in the carotenoid‐based coloration of red crossbills. Evolution 2020; 74:2348-2364. [DOI: 10.1111/evo.14073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Cantarero
- Section of Ecology, Deparment of Biology University of Turku Turku 20014 Finland
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales ‐ CSIC C/José Gutiérrez Abascal 2 Madrid 28006 Spain
| | - Rafael Mateo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC ‐ UCLM ‐ JCCM) Ronda de Toledo 12 Ciudad Real 13005 Spain
| | - Pablo R Camarero
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC (CSIC ‐ UCLM ‐ JCCM) Ronda de Toledo 12 Ciudad Real 13005 Spain
| | - Daniel Alonso
- Department of Ornithology Aranzadi Sciences Society Zorroagagaina 11, E‐20014 Donostia‐San Sebastián Spain
| | - Blanca Fernandez‐Eslava
- Department of Ornithology Aranzadi Sciences Society Zorroagagaina 11, E‐20014 Donostia‐San Sebastián Spain
| | - Carlos Alonso‐Alvarez
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales ‐ CSIC C/José Gutiérrez Abascal 2 Madrid 28006 Spain
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Rodríguez-Ruiz G, Ortega J, Cuervo JJ, López P, Salvador A, Martín J. Male rock lizards may compensate reproductive costs of an immune challenge affecting sexual signals. Behav Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/araa047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Sexual signals can be evolutionarily stable if they are condition dependent or costly to the signaler. One of these costs may be the trade-off between maintaining the immune system and the elaboration of ornaments. Experimental immune challenges in captivity show a reduction in the expression of sexual signals, but it is not clear whether these detrimental effects are important in nature and, more importantly, whether they have reproductive consequences. We designed a field experiment to challenge the immune system of wild male Carpetan rock lizards, Iberolacerta cyreni, with a bacterial antigen (lipopolysaccharide). The immune challenge decreased relative reflectance of ultraviolet structural and melanin-dependent sexual coloration in the throat and the lateral ocelli, whereas the carotenoid-dependent dorsal green coloration was not affected. Immune activation also decreased proportions of ergosterol and cholesta-5,7-dien-3-ol in femoral secretions. These results support a trade-off between the immune system and both visual and chemical sexual ornaments. Moreover, the reproductive success of males, estimated with DNA microsatellites, depended on the expression of some color and chemical traits. However, the immune challenge did not cause overall differences in reproductive success, although it increased with body size/age in control but not in challenged males. This suggests the use of alternative reproductive strategies (e.g., forced matings) in challenged males, particularly in smaller ones. These males might consider that their survival probabilities are low and increase reproductive effort as a form of terminal investment in spite of their “low-quality” sexual signals and potential survival costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Rodríguez-Ruiz
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Ortega
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Javier Cuervo
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar López
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfredo Salvador
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Martín
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid, Spain
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García‐Campa J, Müller W, González‐Braojos S, García‐Juárez E, Morales J. Dietary carotenoid supplementation facilitates egg laying in a wild passerine. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:4968-4978. [PMID: 32551074 PMCID: PMC7297774 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
During egg laying, females face a trade-off between self-maintenance and investment into current reproduction, since providing eggs with resources is energetically demanding, in particular if females lay one egg per day. However, the costs of egg laying not only relate to energetic requirements, but also depend on the availability of specific resources that are vital for egg production and embryonic development. One of these compounds are carotenoids, pigments with immuno-stimulatory properties, which are crucial during embryonic development. In this study, we explore how carotenoid availability alleviates this trade-off and facilitates egg laying in a small bird species, the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus). Blue tits have among the largest clutch size of all European passerines and they usually lay one egg per day, although laying interruptions are frequent. We performed a lutein supplementation experiment and measured potential consequences for egg laying capacity and egg quality. We found that lutein-supplemented females had less laying interruptions and thus completed their clutch faster than control females. No effects of treatment were found on the onset of egg laying or clutch size. Experimentally enhanced carotenoid availability did not elevate yolk carotenoid levels or egg mass, but negatively affected eggshell thickness. Our results provide hence evidence on the limiting role of carotenoids during egg laying. However, the benefits of laying faster following lutein supplementation were counterbalanced by a lower accumulation of calcium in the eggshell. Thus, even though single components may constrain egg laying, it is the combined availability of a range of different resources which ultimately determines egg quality and thus embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge García‐Campa
- Department of Evolutionary EcologyNational Museum of Natural Sciences – Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)MadridSpain
| | - Wendt Müller
- Department of BiologyBehavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology GroupUniversity of AntwerpAntwerpBelgium
| | - Sonia González‐Braojos
- Department of Evolutionary EcologyNational Museum of Natural Sciences – Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)MadridSpain
| | - Emilio García‐Juárez
- Department of Evolutionary EcologyNational Museum of Natural Sciences – Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)MadridSpain
| | - Judith Morales
- Department of Evolutionary EcologyNational Museum of Natural Sciences – Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)MadridSpain
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13
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Grunst ML, Grunst AS, Pinxten R, Eens M. Anthropogenic noise is associated with telomere length and carotenoid-based coloration in free-living nestling songbirds. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 260:114032. [PMID: 32006886 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that anthropogenic noise has deleterious effects on the behavior and physiology of free-living animals. These effects may be particularly pronounced early in life, when developmental trajectories are sensitive to stressors, yet studies investigating developmental effects of noise exposure in free-living populations remain scarce. To elucidate the effects of noise exposure during development, we examined whether noise exposure is associated with shorter telomeres, duller carotenoid-based coloration and reduced body mass in nestlings of a common urban bird, the great tit (Parus major). We also assessed how the noise environment is related to reproductive success. We obtained long-term measurements of the noise environment, over a ∼24-h period, and characterized both the amplitude (measured by LAeq, LA90, LA10, LAmax) and variance in noise levels, since more stochastic, as well as louder, noise regimes might be more likely to induce stress. In our urban population, noise levels varied substantially, with louder, but less variable, noise characteristic of areas adjacent to a highway. Noise levels were also highly repeatable, suggesting that individuals experience consistent differences in noise exposure. The amplitude of noise near nest boxes was associated with shorter telomeres among smaller, but not larger, brood members. In addition, carotenoid chroma and hue were positively associated with variance in average and maximum noise levels, and average reflectance was negatively associated with variance in background noise. Independent of noise, hue was positively related to telomere length. Nestling mass and reproductive success were unaffected by noise exposure. Results indicate that multiple dimensions of the noise environment, or factors associated with the noise environment, could affect the phenotype of developing organisms, that noise exposure, or correlated variables, might have the strongest effects on sensitive groups of individuals, and that carotenoid hue could serve as a signal of early-life telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa L Grunst
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Andrea S Grunst
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Rianne Pinxten
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium; Faculty of Social Sciences, Antwerp School of Education, Research Group Didactica, University of Antwerp, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marcel Eens
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
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14
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Grunst ML, Grunst AS, Pinxten R, Bervoets L, Eens M. Carotenoid- but not melanin-based plumage coloration is negatively related to metal exposure and proximity to the road in an urban songbird. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 256:113473. [PMID: 31679871 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Rapid urbanization is a global phenomenon that is increasingly exposing organisms to novel stressors. These novel stressors can affect diverse aspects of organismal function, including development of condition-dependent ornaments, which play critical roles in social and sexual selection. We investigated the relationship between metal pollution, proximity to roads, and carotenoid- and melanin-based plumage coloration in a common songbird, the great tit (Parus major). We studied populations located across a well-characterized metal pollution gradient and surrounded by roadway networks. Metal exposure and road-associated pollution could reduce carotenoid-based pigmentation by inducing oxidative stress or affecting habitat quality, but metals could also enhance melanin-based pigmentation, through effects on melanogenesis and testosterone concentrations. Using a large sample size (N > 500), we found that birds residing close to a point source for metals had reduced ultraviolet chroma, a component of carotenoid-based pigmentation. Moreover, birds with high feather metal concentrations had lower carotenoid chroma, hue, and ultraviolet chroma, with effects modified by age class. Birds residing closer to roads also had lower carotenoid chroma and hue. Melanin-based pigmentation showed high between-year repeatability, and no association with anthropogenic pollution. Results suggest that carotenoid-, but not melanin-, based pigmentation is negatively affected by multiple anthropogenic stressors. We are the first to demonstrate a negative association between roads and a plumage-based signaling trait, which could have important implications for sexual signaling dynamics in urban landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa L Grunst
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Andrea S Grunst
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Rianne Pinxten
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium; Faculty of Social Sciences, Didactica Research Group, University of Antwerp, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Lieven Bervoets
- Department of Biology, Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research Group, University of Antwerp, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marcel Eens
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
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15
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Powers MJ, Hill GE, Weaver RJ. An experimental test of mate choice for red carotenoid coloration in the marine copepod
Tigriopus californicus. Ethology 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Geoffrey E. Hill
- Department of Biological Sciences Auburn University Auburn AL USA
| | - Ryan J. Weaver
- Department of Biological Sciences Auburn University Auburn AL USA
- Department of Integrative Biology University of Texas Austin TX USA
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16
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Losdat S, Rojas Mora A, Bellut C, Chargé R, Falchi V, Glauser G, Vallat A, Helfenstein F. Social dominance, but not parasite load, affects sperm quality and sperm redox status in house sparrows. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.200675. [PMID: 31439651 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.200675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Sperm performance is an important component of male reproductive success. However, sperm production is costly and males need to optimize their investment in sperm quality versus the somatic traits involved in mating success, e.g. their social status. As oxidative stress affects both sperm performance and somatic functions, it has been hypothesized to mediate such a trade-off. According to the oxidation-based soma/germline trade-off hypothesis, dominant males should favour the antioxidant protection of their somatic tissues, and subordinate males should favour the antioxidant protection of their sperm. We tested this hypothesis by experimentally infecting wild-caught house sparrows Passer domesticus with Coccidia Isopora sp., an internal parasite known to deplete antioxidant resources. We predicted that (i) increased parasite load affects sperm oxidative status and sperm performance and that (ii) males with experimentally high parasite load adjust the antioxidant protection of their soma versus their sperm according to their social status. Despite a 5400% increase in parasite load, sperm performance and somatic and spermatic oxidative status remained unaffected, irrespective of male social status. Nevertheless, males increased their sperm performance over time, a pattern mirrored by an increase in the antioxidant protection of their sperm. Moreover, males at the lower end of the hierarchy always produced sperm of lower velocity, suggesting that they were constrained and privileged their soma over their germline. To conclude, high parasite loads do not necessarily affect sperm performance and oxidative status. In contrast, social hierarchy and the relative investment in soma versus sperm antioxidant protection are determinants of sperm performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Losdat
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Alfonso Rojas Mora
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Bellut
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Rémi Chargé
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Valentina Falchi
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Gaétan Glauser
- Neuchâtel Platform of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Neuchâtel, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Armelle Vallat
- Neuchâtel Platform of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Neuchâtel, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Fabrice Helfenstein
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecophysiology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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17
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RAMIREZ‐OTAROLA N, ESPINOZA J, KALERGIS AM, SABAT P. Response to lipopolysaccharide inOctodon deguspups produces age‐related sickness behavior but does not have effects in juveniles. Integr Zool 2019; 14:235-247. [DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia RAMIREZ‐OTAROLA
- Department of Ecological Sciences, Science FacultyUniversidad de Chile Santiago Chile
- Department of Ecology, Center of Applied Ecology & Sustainability, Biological Sciences FacultyPontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago Chile
| | - Janyra ESPINOZA
- Millennium Institute Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias BiológicasPontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago Chile
| | - Alexis M. KALERGIS
- Millennium Institute Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias BiológicasPontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago Chile
- Departamento de Endocrinología, Facultad de MedicinaPontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago Chile
| | - Pablo SABAT
- Department of Ecological Sciences, Science FacultyUniversidad de Chile Santiago Chile
- Department of Ecology, Center of Applied Ecology & Sustainability, Biological Sciences FacultyPontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Santiago Chile
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18
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Rodríguez-Herrera B, Rodríguez P, Watson W, McCracken GF, Medellín RA, Galván I. Sexual dichromatism and condition-dependence in the skin of a bat. J Mammal 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyz035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Paulina Rodríguez
- School of Biology, University of Costa Rica, 2060 San José, Costa Rica
| | - Whitney Watson
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Gary F McCracken
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Rodrigo A Medellín
- Institute of Ecology, Autonomous National University of Mexico, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ismael Galván
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Doñana Biological Station, CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
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19
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Use of plumage and gular pouch color to evaluate condition of oil spill rehabilitated California brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) post-release. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211932. [PMID: 30811430 PMCID: PMC6392258 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sublethal effects of oil spills may dampen seabird rehabilitation success due to lingering negative impacts of contamination and stress on reproduction and long-term survival. These effects can be difficult to measure while birds are in care as well as once birds are released. Expression of sexually selected traits that are sensitive to condition can provide information on physiological status of birds. We evaluated plumage molt and gular pouch skin color of California brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) following oil contamination and rehabilitation to test for differences between previously oiled and rehabilitated (post-spill) and presumably uncontaminated pelicans. Post-spill pelicans released with either color leg bands alone, or bands plus harness-mounted satellite GPS tags, were relocated and visually assessed in the field at non-breeding communal roosts and compared to surrounding unmarked pelicans in the general population. Non-oiled pelicans bearing GPS tags were also included in the study. Post-spill pelicans lagged the general population in molt of ornamental yellow crown feathers but hind neck transition into white plumage was not significantly different. Both post-spill and non-oiled pelicans wearing GPS tags had lower gular redness scores than the unmarked, non-oiled population. Pre-breeding gular pouch redness of post-spill pelicans was more strongly influenced by wearing of a GPS tag than a history of oil contamination and rehabilitation. Gular pouch redness of post-spill pelicans in the first 18 months after release was positively correlated with long term survivorship. If gular pouch color is a condition-dependent sexual signal and overall health influences plumage molt progression, our results indicate that many post-spill pelicans marked with bands alone were in relatively good condition going into the next breeding season, but those released with electronic tags experienced additional stress due to wearing the equipment, introducing a confounding variable to the post-release study.
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20
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Mohr AE, Girard M, Rowe M, McGraw KJ, Sweazea KL. Varied effects of dietary carotenoid supplementation on oxidative damage in tissues of two waterfowl species. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 231:67-74. [PMID: 30794961 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Carotenoids are regarded as a cornerstone of avian vitality and coloration. Currently, the antioxidant potential of dietary carotenoids is debated for birds. Although some studies support a protective role, others report either no effect or pro-oxidant effects. However, the majority of research on this topic has not analyzed the oxidative status of a series of tissues in animals nor considered a range of carotenoid dosages. We investigated the effects of three levels of carotenoid supplementation on plasma, liver, adipose, heart and breast muscle oxidative damage in two congeneric species of waterfowl that exhibit marked differences in carotenoid coloration. After a 6-week depletion period, captive adult northern pintail (Anas acuta) and mallard (A. platyrhynchos) ducks of both sexes were fed either a carotenoid-depleted diet (<3 μg/g xanthophylls, lutein and zeaxanthin), a carotenoid-supplemented diet (50 μg/g) within physiological range, or a carotenoid-rich diet (100 μg/g) within pharmacological range for 22 to 32 weeks. We hypothesized that these dosages of dietary carotenoids would differentially affect oxidative damage between species and sexes and among the tissues examined. We found that dietary xanthophyll supplementation had no significant effect on tissue pro-oxidation in males and females from both species. Moreover, sex or species differences in oxidative stress were only observed in two tissues (plasma and heart). Significant correlations in the levels of oxidative damage were not observed among the tissues examined. In conclusion, the current study does not support a consistent antioxidant role for dietary carotenoids in the tissues of these two waterfowl species. Instead, our results align with the notion that carotenoids play complex, tissue- and species-specific roles in oxidative status in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex E Mohr
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, United States of America
| | - Marc Girard
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States of America
| | - Melissah Rowe
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States of America; Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, 0562 Oslo, Norway; Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Kevin J McGraw
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States of America
| | - Karen L Sweazea
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, United States of America; School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States of America.
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21
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Ramirez-Otarola N, Sarria M, Rivera DS, Sabat P, Bozinovic F. Ecoimmunology in degus: interplay among diet, immune response, and oxidative stress. J Comp Physiol B 2018; 189:143-152. [PMID: 30488104 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-018-1195-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The relationships between immunity, oxidative stress, and diet have not often been studied together. Despite this, it has been shown that dietary proteins can have effects on the functioning of the immune system and the oxidative status of animals. Here we evaluated the effects of dietary proteins on the response to an antigen and oxidative status of Octodon degus (Rodentia). We acclimated adult individuals to high-protein and low-protein diets and evaluated several aspects of the acute phase response and variables associated with oxidative status. After the immune challenge, animals acclimated to the high-protein diet had more inflammatory proteins and body mass losses than the group acclimated to a low-protein diet. Overall, the immune challenge increased the production of inflammatory proteins, total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation, and duration of rest periods. In contrast, we did not find an interaction between diet and the challenge with the antigen. Overall, our results do not reveal an enhanced response to an antigen nor effects on the oxidative status of degus individuals subjected to a high-protein diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Ramirez-Otarola
- Departamento de Ecología, Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins #340, 6513677, Santiago, Chile. .,Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 653, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Mauricio Sarria
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 653, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniela S Rivera
- Departamento de Ecología, Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins #340, 6513677, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo Sabat
- Departamento de Ecología, Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins #340, 6513677, Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 653, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco Bozinovic
- Departamento de Ecología, Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins #340, 6513677, Santiago, Chile
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22
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A pheromone that coordinates parental care is evolutionary conserved among burying beetles (Silphidae: Nicrophorus). CHEMOECOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00049-018-0271-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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23
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Marinero NV, Cailly-Arnulphi VB, Lambertucci SA, Borghi CE. Pigmentation and not only sex and age of individuals affects despotism in the Andean condor. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205197. [PMID: 30356333 PMCID: PMC6200203 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Attributes such as sex, age and pigmentation of individuals could correspond to the competitive skills they use to access resources and, consequently, determine their social status when a hierarchy of dominance is established. We analysed patterns of social dominance in relation to sex, age and, for the first time, according to face pigmentation in a large scavenger bird species, the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus). This species displays extreme sexual dimorphism, with males being up to 50% heavier than females. Associated to this, strong hierarchical relationships characterize foraging, roosting and breeding. We recorded agonistic interactions within condor groups while foraging through video recordings in experimental stations. We corroborated a strong despotism by the adult males to the rest of the categories. More interestingly we found this despotism was also expressed by most pigmented birds; juvenile females being completely subordinated and, at the same time, not expressing pigmentation. Importantly, when condors of equal sex and age category fought, the more pigmented individuals were successful. Our results highlight that pigmentation, besides sex and age, is an attribute that also corresponds with social status in the Andean condor, making its hierarchical system more complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy V. Marinero
- Universidad Nacional de San Juan - CIGEOBIO CONICET, San Juan, Argentina
| | | | - Sergio A. Lambertucci
- Grupo de Investigaciones en Biología de la Conservación, Laboratorio Ecotono, Universidad Nacional del Comahue - INIBIOMA CONICET, Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Carlos E. Borghi
- Universidad Nacional de San Juan - CIGEOBIO CONICET, San Juan, Argentina
- Departamento de Biología y Museo de Ciencias Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de San Juan, San Juan, Argentina
- * E-mail:
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24
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Baeckens S, Driessens T, Huyghe K, Vanhooydonck B, Van Damme R. Intraspecific Variation in the Information Content of an Ornament: Why Relative Dewlap Size Signals Bite Force in Some, But Not All Island Populations of Anolis sagrei. Integr Comp Biol 2018; 58:25-37. [PMID: 29697838 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icy012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In many animals, male secondary sexual traits advertise reliable information on fighting capacity in a male-male context. The iconic sexual signaling device of anole lizards, the dewlap, has been extensively studied in this respect. For several territorial anole species (experiencing strong intrasexual selection), there is evidence for a positive association between dewlap size and bite capacity, which is an important determinant of combat outcome in lizards. Intriguingly, earlier studies did not find this expected correlation (relative dewlap size-relative bite force) in the highly territorial brown anole lizard, Anolis sagrei. We hypothesize that the dewlap size-bite force relationship can differ among populations of the same species due to interpopulation variation in the degree of male-male competition. In line with this thought, we expect dewlap size to serve as a reliable predictor of bite performance only in those populations where the level of intrasexual selection is high. To tackle this hypothesis, we examined the relationship between male dewlap size and bite force on the intraspecific level in A. sagrei, using an extensive dataset encompassing information from 17 island populations distributed throughout the Caribbean. First, we assessed and compared the relationship between both variables in the 17 populations under study. Second, we linked the relative dewlap size-bite force relationship within each population to variation in the degree of intrasexual selection among populations, using sexual size dimorphism and dewlap display intensity as surrogate measures. Our results showed that absolute dewlap size is an excellent predictor of maximum bite force in nearly all A. sagrei populations. However, relative dewlap size is only an honest signal of bite performance in 4 out of the 17 populations. Surprisingly, the level of signal honesty did not correlate with the strength of intrasexual selection. We offer a number of conceptual and methodological explanations for this unexpected finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Baeckens
- Laboratory of Functional Morphology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium.,Museum of Comparative Zoology, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Tess Driessens
- Laboratory of Functional Morphology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
| | - Katleen Huyghe
- Laboratory of Functional Morphology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
| | - Bieke Vanhooydonck
- Laboratory of Functional Morphology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
| | - Raoul Van Damme
- Laboratory of Functional Morphology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
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25
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Koch RE, Hill GE. Do carotenoid‐based ornaments entail resource trade‐offs? An evaluation of theory and data. Funct Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E. Koch
- Department of Biological SciencesAuburn University Auburn Alabama
- School of Biological SciencesMonash University Clayton Vic. Australia
| | - Geoffrey E. Hill
- Department of Biological SciencesAuburn University Auburn Alabama
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26
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Tassi ÉMM, Duarte RMT, Amaya-Farfan J. Partial nutrient characterization of arugula (rocket - Eruca sativa L.) and the effect of heat treatment on its lipoxidase activity. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1590/1981-6723.02417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract The objective of this work was to determine some key nutrients in arugula (or rocket) and the effect of heat treatment on its lipoxidase activity. The protein, lipid, carbohydrate, fibre, ash, fatty acid composition, α-tocopherol and carotenoid contents were determined. Due to its importance in lipid degradation, the lipoxidase activity was measured in the raw and cooked leaves. The composition was (% fresh mass): 2.5 protein, 0.3 lipids, 4.1 carbohydrates, 1.3 fibre and 1.8 ash. The lipid phase contained 6.2 mg of α-tocopherol, 5.3 mg of lutein and 3.2 mg of β-carotene. Arugula was found to be rich in α-linolenic acid (48% of the oil). The heat treatment was not sufficient to totally inactivate the lipoxidase activity.
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27
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Henschen AE, Whittingham LA, Dunn PO. Male stress response is related to ornamentation but not resistance to oxidative stress in a warbler. Funct Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Amberleigh E. Henschen
- Behavioral and Molecular Ecology GroupDepartment of Biological SciencesUniversity of Wisconsin‐Milwaukee Milwaukee WI USA
| | - Linda A. Whittingham
- Behavioral and Molecular Ecology GroupDepartment of Biological SciencesUniversity of Wisconsin‐Milwaukee Milwaukee WI USA
| | - Peter O. Dunn
- Behavioral and Molecular Ecology GroupDepartment of Biological SciencesUniversity of Wisconsin‐Milwaukee Milwaukee WI USA
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Sumasgutner P, Adrion M, Gamauf A. Carotenoid coloration and health status of urban Eurasian kestrels (Falco tinnunculus). PLoS One 2018; 13:e0191956. [PMID: 29420544 PMCID: PMC5805255 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
As the world experiences rapid urban expansion, natural landscapes are being transformed into cities at an alarming rate. Consequently, urbanization is identified as one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time, yet we lack a clear understanding of how urbanization affects free-living organisms. Urbanization leads to habitat fragmentation and increased impervious surfaces affecting for example availability and quality of food. Urbanization is also associated with increased pollution levels that can affect organisms directly, via ecophysiological constraints and indirectly by disrupting trophic interactions in multi-species networks. Birds are highly mobile, while an individual is not necessarily exposed to urban stressors around the clock, but nestlings of altricial birds are. Such a city-dwelling species with a long nestling phase is the Eurasian kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in Vienna, Austria, which forage on a diverse diet differing in composition from rural habitats. Furthermore, prey items vary in nutritional value and contents of micronutrients like carotenoids, which might impact the nestlings' health. Carotenoids are pigments that are incorporated into integument tissues but also have antioxidant and immunostimulatory capacity, resulting in a trade-off between these functions. In nestlings these pigments function in parent-offspring communication or sibling competition by advertising an individual's physical or physiological condition. Anthropogenic disturbance and pollutants could have disruptive effects on the coloration of these traits. In this study, we measured carotenoid based coloration and other indicators of individual health (body condition and susceptibility to the ectoparasite Carnus hemapterus) of 154 nestling kestrels (n = 91 nests) along an urban gradient from 2010 to 2015. We found skin yellowness of nestlings from nest-sites in the city-center to be least pronounced. This result might indicate that inner-city nestlings are strongly affected by urban stressors and depleted their stores of dietary carotenoids for health-related functions rather than coloration. In addition, skin yellowness intensified with age and was stronger pronounced in earlier nests. Since the immune system of nestlings is still developing, younger chicks might need more antioxidants to combat environmental stress. Additionally, parasite infection intensity was highest in nestlings with less intense skin yellowness (paler or less yellow pigmented integuments) and in earlier nests of the season. In combination with results from previous studies, our findings provide further support for the low quality of the inner-city habitat, both in terms of productivity and individual health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Sumasgutner
- Department of Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Museum of Natural History Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Marius Adrion
- Department of Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Museum of Natural History Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anita Gamauf
- Department of Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Museum of Natural History Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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29
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Costantini D. Meta-analysis reveals that reproductive strategies are associated with sexual differences in oxidative balance across vertebrates. Curr Zool 2018; 64:1-11. [PMID: 29492033 PMCID: PMC5809033 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zox002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is a key physiological mechanism underlying life-history tradeoffs. Here, I use meta-analytic techniques to test whether sexual differences in oxidative balance are common in vertebrates and to identify which factors are associated with such differences. The dataset included 732 effect size estimates from 100 articles (82 species). Larger unsigned effect size (meaning larger sexual differences in a given marker) occurred in: reptiles and fish; those species that do not provide parental care; and oviparous species. Estimates of signed effect size (positive values meaning higher oxidative stress in males) indicated that females were less resistant to oxidative stress than males in: reptiles while males and females were similar in fish, birds, and mammals; those species that do not provide parental care; and oviparous species. There was no evidence for a significant sexual differentiation in oxidative balance in fish, birds, and mammals. Effect size was not associated with: the number of offspring; whether the experimental animals were reproducing or not; biomarker (oxidative damage, non-enzymatic, or enzymatic antioxidant), the species body mass; the strain (wild vs. domestic); or the study environment (wild vs. captivity). Oxidative stress tended to be higher in females than males across most of the tissues analyzed. Levels of residual heterogeneity were high in all models tested. The findings of this meta-analysis indicate that diversification of reproductive strategies might be associated with sexual differences in oxidative balance. This explorative meta-analysis offers a starting platform for future research to investigate the relationship between sex and oxidative balance further.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Costantini
- UMR 7221, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 7 rue Cuvier 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, Berlin 10315, Germany
- Behavioural Ecology & Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
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Tomášek O, Albrechtová J, Němcová M, Opatová P, Albrecht T. Trade-off between carotenoid-based sexual ornamentation and sperm resistance to oxidative challenge. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2016.2444. [PMID: 28123091 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.2444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been hypothesized that carotenoid-based sexual ornamentation signals male fertility and sperm competitive ability as both ornamentation and sperm traits may be co-affected by oxidative stress, resulting in positive covariation (the 'redox-based phenotype-linked fertility hypothesis'; redox-based PLFH). On the other hand, the 'sperm competition theory' (SCT) predicts a trade-off between precopulatory and postcopulatory traits. Here, we manipulate oxidative status (using diquat dibromide) and carotenoid availability in adult zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) males in order to test whether carotenoid-based beak ornamentation signals, or is traded off against, sperm resistance to oxidative challenge. Initial beak colouration, but not its change during the experiment, was associated with effect of oxidative challenge on sperm velocity, such that more intense colouration predicted an increase in sperm velocity under control conditions but a decline under oxidative challenge. This suggests a long-term trade-off between ornament expression and sperm resistance to oxidative challenge. Shortening of the sperm midpiece following oxidative challenge further suggests that redox homeostasis may constrain sperm morphometry. Carotenoid supplementation resulted in fewer sperm abnormalities but had no effect on other sperm traits. Overall, our data challenge the redox-based PLFH, partially support the SCT and highlight the importance of carotenoids for normal sperm morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oldřich Tomášek
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Květná 8, Brno 60365, Czech Republic .,Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 2 12844, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Albrechtová
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Květná 8, Brno 60365, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Němcová
- Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 2 12844, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlína Opatová
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Květná 8, Brno 60365, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, Brno 61137, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Albrecht
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Květná 8, Brno 60365, Czech Republic .,Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, Charles University, Viničná 7, Prague 2 12844, Czech Republic
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31
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Weaver RJ, Wang P, Hill GE, Cobine PA. An in vivo test of the biologically relevant roles of carotenoids as antioxidants in animals. J Exp Biol 2018; 221:jeb.183665. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.183665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Carotenoids are well known for their contribution to the vibrant coloration of many animals and have been hypothesized to be important antioxidants. Surprisingly few examples of carotenoids acting as biologically relevant antioxidants in vivo exist, in part because experimental designs often employ dosing animals with carotenoids at levels that are rarely observed in nature. Here we use an approach that reduces carotenoid content from wild-type levels to test for the effect of carotenoids as protectants against an oxidative challenge. We used the marine copepod, Tigriopus californicus reared on a carotenoid-free or a carotenoid-restored diet of nutritional yeast and then exposed them to a prooxidant. We found that carotenoid-deficient copepods not only accumulated more damage, but also were more likely to die during an oxidative challenge than carotenoid-restored copepods. We suggest that carotenoid reduction, and not supplementation, better tests the proposed roles of carotenoids in other physiological functions in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J. Weaver
- Department of Biological Sciences, 331 Funchess Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849 USA
| | - Philip Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, 331 Funchess Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849 USA
| | - Geoffrey E. Hill
- Department of Biological Sciences, 331 Funchess Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849 USA
| | - Paul A. Cobine
- Department of Biological Sciences, 331 Funchess Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849 USA
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32
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Kerimov AB, Ilyina TA, Ivankina EV, Bushuev AV, Sokolova OV, Rogovin KA. Melanin-based coloration and immunity in polymorphic population of pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca. Evol Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-017-9926-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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33
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Kopena R, López P, Martín J. Immune challenged male Iberian green lizards may increase the expression of some sexual signals if they have supplementary vitamin E. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-017-2401-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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34
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Needham KB, Kucera AC, Heidinger BJ, Greives TJ. Repeated immune challenges affect testosterone but not sperm quality. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2017; 327:398-406. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.2110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Katie B. Needham
- Department of Biological Sciences; North Dakota State University; Fargo North Dakota
| | - Aurelia C. Kucera
- Department of Biological Sciences; North Dakota State University; Fargo North Dakota
| | - Britt J. Heidinger
- Department of Biological Sciences; North Dakota State University; Fargo North Dakota
| | - Timothy J. Greives
- Department of Biological Sciences; North Dakota State University; Fargo North Dakota
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35
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Brenes-Soto A, Dierenfeld ES, Janssens GPJ. Colouration in amphibians as a reflection of nutritional status: The case of tree frogs in Costa Rica. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182020. [PMID: 28837604 PMCID: PMC5570269 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Colouration has been considered a cue for mating success in many species; ornaments in males often are related to carotenoid mobilization towards feathers and/or skin and can signal general health and nutrition status. However, there are several factors that can also link with status, such as physiological blood parameters and body condition, but there is not substantial evidence which supports the existence of these relationships and interactions in anurans. This study evaluated how body score and blood values interact with colouration in free-range Agalychnis callidryas and Agalychnis annae males. We found significant associations between body condition and plasmatic proteins and haematocrit, as well as between body condition and colour values from the chromaticity diagram. We also demonstrated that there is a significant relation between the glucose and plasmatic protein values that were reflected in the ventral colours of the animals, and haematocrit inversely affected most of those colour values. Significant differences were found between species as well as between populations of A. callidryas, suggesting that despite colour variation, there are also biochemical differences within animals from the same species located in different regions. These data provide information on underlying factors for colouration of male tree frogs in nature, provide insights about the dynamics of several nutrients in the amphibian model and how this could affect the reproductive output of the animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Brenes-Soto
- Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
- Animal Science Department, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | | | - Geert P. J. Janssens
- Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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36
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Ibáñez A, Martín J, Marzal A, Bertolero A. The effect of growth rate and ageing on colour variation of European pond turtles. Naturwissenschaften 2017; 104:49. [PMID: 28540596 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-017-1469-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Many chelonians have colourful dots, patches and stripes throughout their body that are made up, at least in part, of carotenoids. Therefore, turtles are very suitable models to study the evolution and functionality of carotenoid-based colouration. Recent studies suggested a close link between colouration and immune system in these taxa. However, more research is needed to understand the role of these colourful stripes and patches in turtle visual signalling. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between growth rate and colouration in European pond turtles. In particular, we wanted to answer the question of whether there is a trade-off between growth and colour expression. We also aimed to explore the effect of body size and age on colour variation. Turtles from a reintroduction-breeding program were recaptured, weighed and measured over an 8-year period to estimate their growth rates and age. We also measured with a spectrometer the reflectance of colour patches in two different body parts: shell and forelimb. We found that turtles with a faster growth rate had brighter limb stripes independently of their age. On the other hand, shell colouration was related to body size with larger turtles having brighter shell stripes and higher values of carotenoid chroma. Our results suggest that fast-growers may afford to express intense colourful limb stripes likely due to their higher intake of carotenoids that would modulate both growth and colour expression. However, shell colouration was related to body size probably due to ontogenetic differences in the diet, as juveniles are strictly carnivorous while adults are omnivorous. Alternatively, shell colouration might be involved in crypsis as the shell is visually exposed to predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Ibáñez
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain. .,Division of Evolutionary Biology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Zoological Institute, Mendelssohnstr. 4, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - José Martín
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Marzal
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Universidad de Extremadura, 06071, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Albert Bertolero
- Associació Ornitològica Picampall de les Terres de l'Ebre, C/ La Galera 53, 43870, Amposta, Spain
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37
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Desprat JL, Mondy N, Lengagne T. Does testosterone affect foraging behavior in male frogs? Horm Behav 2017; 90:25-30. [PMID: 28189643 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2017.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Revised: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
During the breeding season, males often produce costly and extravagant displays or physical ornaments to attract females. Numerous studies have established that testosterone could directly influence the expression of certain sexual signals. However, few of these studies have focused on the indirect role that testosterone could play in modulating prey detection and visual performance to improve the foraging ability of males and hence their acquisition of nutritional resource. In the present study, we experimentally modified the testosterone levels of European tree frog males (Hyla arborea), staying in the natural range previously measured in the field, and we investigated the effect of testosterone on the foraging ability of individuals. Foraging capacities were measured on males placed in an arena with a virtual cricket moving on a computer screen. Our results demonstrated a significant effect of testosterone on the hunting behavior of H. arborea. We observed that testosterone reduced the orientation latency to virtual prey for supplemented males compared to controls. In addition, testosterone significantly increased the attack promptness of male frogs. Finally, our experiment did not demonstrate any impact of testosterone on male attack success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia L Desprat
- UnivLyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR 5023 LEHNA Écologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France.
| | - Nathalie Mondy
- UnivLyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR 5023 LEHNA Écologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Thierry Lengagne
- UnivLyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR 5023 LEHNA Écologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
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38
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Immune challenges and visual signalling in tree frogs. Naturwissenschaften 2017; 104:21. [PMID: 28271177 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-017-1436-x] [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: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/28/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
In animals, mate-choice is often based on sexual signals that carry information and help the receiver make the best choice to improve the receiver's fitness. Orange visual sexual signals have been hypothesised to carry immune information because they are often due to carotenoid pigments which are also involved in immunity response. Although many studies have focused on the direct relationships between coloration and immunocompetence, few studies have simultaneously studied immunocompetent response and coloration variation after an immune challenge. We tested this hypothesis on starved and ad libitum-fed males of the European tree frog Hyla arborea. Our results show that male coloration is not a reliable indicator of its immune response capacity in this species. However, after an immune challenge induced by a PHA (Phaseolus vulgaris phytohaemagglutinin) injection, starved males presented a significant coloration loss and this alteration was related to the immune response intensity. Taken together, these results suggest that the brighter (lighter) coloration may be used as a cue by female to exclude males with a recent immune challenge, due to diseases or parasites for example.
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39
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Byrne PG, Silla AJ. Testing the effect of dietary carotenoids on larval survival, growth and development in the critically endangered southern corroboree frog. Zoo Biol 2017; 36:161-169. [PMID: 28198035 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Revised: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Phillip G. Byrne
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem SolutionsSchool of Biological SciencesUniversity of WollongongWollongongNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Aimee J. Silla
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem SolutionsSchool of Biological SciencesUniversity of WollongongWollongongNew South WalesAustralia
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40
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Broughton DR, Schneider BC, McGraw KJ, Ardia DR. Carotenoids buffer the acute phase response on fever, sickness behavior, and rapid bill color change in zebra finches. J Exp Biol 2017; 220:2957-2964. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.155069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Carotenoids are finite resources that animals can allocate to self-maintenance, attractiveness, or reproduction. Here we test how carotenoids affect the acute phase response (APR), an intense rapid systemic response characterized by fever, sickness behavior, and production of acute phase proteins, which serves to reduce pathogen persistence. We conducted a 2x2 factorial design experiment in captive adult male and female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) to determine the effects of carotenoid supplementation on the intensity of the APR. We measured changes in feeding rate, activity level, and body temperature of the birds. We found that, relative to unsupplemented controls, carotenoid-supplemented birds exhibited less severe reductions in feeding and activity, smaller increases in body temperature, and lower circulating levels of haptoglobin (an acute phase protein) 24 h after inducing an APR. Among supplemented individuals, those with higher blood carotenoid levels exhibited a lower reduction in activity rate after 24 h. Forty-eight hours after APR induction, birds exhibited a significant decrease in plasma carotenoid levels and a decrease in bill hue, with less reduction in hue in carotenoid-supplemented individuals. These results demonstrate that carotenoids can alleviate several important behavioral and physiological effects of an APR and that bill color can change rapidly following induction of the costly APR immune defense. In particular, immune activation may have caused birds to preferentially draw down carotenoids from the bloodstream, ostensibly for use in health. Rapid bill color changes over a 48-hr period support growing evidence that bills may serve as short-term signals of health and condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanna R. Broughton
- Department of Biology, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA 17604, USA
| | - Brent C. Schneider
- Department of Biology, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA 17604, USA
| | - Kevin J. McGraw
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Daniel R. Ardia
- Department of Biology, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA 17604, USA
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41
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Avilés JM, Parejo D. Sex Difference in Condition Dependence of Carotenoid Gapes in the Eurasian Roller (Coracias garrulus). Physiol Biochem Zool 2016; 89:524-535. [PMID: 27792533 DOI: 10.1086/688756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
In altricial birds, sex differentiation can start early in the ontogeny in the form of color, physiology, and/or growth and may potentially result in sex-specific condition dependence of traits mediating parent-offspring communication. Carotenoids have long been hypothesized to modulate the expression of gape coloration, but their sex-specific role enforcing honesty of gape coloration remains poorly studied. In a within-nest design, we provided carotenoid supplementation to nestlings of the Eurasian roller (Coracias garrulus) and measured the response in circulating carotenoids, coloration of the gape, cutaneous immune responsiveness to phytohemagglutinin, and growth while accounting for the sex of nestlings. Male nestlings supplemented with carotenoids displayed enhanced pigmentation of their gapes and grew faster than control nestlings, but there was no within-individual correlation between gape color and growth in either carotenoid-supplemented or control males. Female nestlings, however, diverted most supplemented carotenoids into growing fast at the expense of reducing their level of circulating carotenoids and displaying less-pigmented gapes. Nestling cutaneous immune response was not affected by carotenoid supplementation in either sex. Our results provide only weak support for the hypothesis that carotenoids enforce the honesty of gape color signals in nestling rollers and demonstrate sex specificity in how nestlings divert a surplus of carotenoids into different physiological functions.
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42
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Casagrande S, Pinxten R, Zaid E, Eens M. Positive effect of dietary lutein and cholesterol on the undirected song activity of an opportunistic breeder. PeerJ 2016; 4:e2512. [PMID: 27761321 PMCID: PMC5068346 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Song is a sexually selected trait that is thought to be an honest signal of the health condition of an individual in many bird species. For species that breed opportunistically, the quantity of food may be a determinant of singing activity. However, it is not yet known whether the quality of food plays an important role in this respect. The aim of the present study was to experimentally investigate the role of two calorie-free nutrients (lutein and cholesterol) in determining the expression of a sexually selected behavior (song rate) and other behaviors (locomotor activity, self-maintenance activity, eating and resting) in male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). We predicted that males supplemented with lutein and cholesterol would sing at higher rates than controls because both lutein and cholesterol have important health-related physiological functions in birds and birdsong mirrors individual condition. To control for testosterone secretion that may upregulate birdsong, birds were exposed to a decreasing photoperiod. Our results showed that control males down-regulated testosterone in response to a decreasing photoperiod, while birds treated with lutein or cholesterol maintained a constant singing activity. Both lutein- and cholesterol-supplemented groups sang more than control groups by the end of the experiment, indicating that the quality of food can affect undirected song irrespective of circulating testosterone concentrations. None of the other measured behaviors were affected by the treatment, suggesting that, when individuals have full availability of food, sexually selected song traits are more sensitive to the effect of food quality than other behavioral traits. Overall the results support our prediction that undirected song produced by male zebra finches signals access to high-quality food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Casagrande
- Evolutionary Physiology Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany; Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Rianne Pinxten
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Faculty of Social Sciences, Antwerp School of Education, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Erika Zaid
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marcel Eens
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp , Antwerp , Belgium
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Negative impact of urban habitat on immunity in the great tit Parus major. Oecologia 2016; 182:1053-1062. [PMID: 27646717 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-016-3730-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Urban habitats are described as having an overall negative influence on many fitness-related traits in several bird species, but a vital function such as immunity remains poorly studied. The immune response is strongly linked to individual condition, which partly depends on resource availability and the parasitic context that often differ between urban and natural habitats. A difference between the immunity of populations dwelling in urban areas and populations from more natural habitats can, therefore, be hypothesized. We conducted a 2-year experimental study on great tits (Parus major) in urban and forest areas. We stimulated the constitutive immunity of nestlings and assessed both the inflammatory response by measuring the plasma levels of haptoglobin, an inflammatory marker, and its activation cost through the loss of body mass. In addition, we checked the nestlings for ectoparasites and assessed haemosporidian prevalence in adults. Nestlings from urban sites produced relatively less haptoglobin and lost more body mass than those from forest sites, which suggests that the activation of constitutive immunity is more costly for birds living in urban sites than for those living in the forest. We detected no ectoparasite in birds in both habitats. However, urban adults showed lower haemosporidian prevalence than forest ones, suggesting a reduced exposure to these parasites and their vectors in towns. Overall, our study provides evidence for an immune difference between urban and forest populations. Because immunity is crucial for organism fitness, it is of prime interest to identify causes and processes at the origin of this difference.
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MacLeod KJ, Brekke P, Tong W, Ewen JG, Thorogood R. Do mothers bias offspring sex ratios in carotenoid-rich environments? Behav Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arw141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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García-de Blas E, Mateo R, Alonso-Alvarez C. Specific carotenoid pigments in the diet and a bit of oxidative stress in the recipe for producing red carotenoid-based signals. PeerJ 2016; 4:e2237. [PMID: 27635308 PMCID: PMC5012267 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorful ornaments have been the focus of sexual selection studies since the work of Darwin. Yellow to red coloration is often produced by carotenoid pigments. Different hypotheses have been formulated to explain the evolution of these traits as signals of individual quality. Many of these hypotheses involve the existence of a signal production cost. The carotenoids necessary for signaling can only be obtained from food. In this line, carotenoid-based signals could reveal an individual’s capacity to find sufficient dietary pigments. However, the ingested carotenoids are often yellow and became transformed by the organism to produce pigments of more intense color (red ketocarotenoids). Biotransformation should involve oxidation reactions, although the exact mechanism is poorly known. We tested the hypothesis that carotenoid biotransformation could be costly because a certain level of oxidative stress is required to correctly perform the conversion. The carotenoid-based signals could thus reveal the efficiency of the owner in successfully managing this challenge. In a bird with ketocarotenoid-based ornaments (the red-legged partridge; Alectoris rufa), the availability of different carotenoids in the diet (i.e. astaxanthin, zeaxanthin and lutein) and oxidative stress were manipulated. The carotenoid composition was analyzed and quantified in the ornaments, blood, liver and fat. A number of oxidative stress biomarkers were also measured in the same tissues. First, we found that color and pigment levels in the ornaments depended on food levels of those carotenoids used as substrates in biotransformation. Second, we found that birds exposed to mild levels of a free radical generator (diquat) developed redder bills and deposited higher amounts of ketocarotenoids (astaxanthin) in ornaments. Moreover, the same diquat-exposed birds also showed a weaker resistance to hemolysis when their erythrocytes were exposed to free radicals, with females also enduring higher oxidative damage in plasma lipids. Thus, higher color production would be linked to higher oxidative stress, supporting the biotransformation hypothesis. The recent discovery of an avian oxygenase enzyme involved in converting yellow to red carotenoids may support our results. Nonetheless, the effect could also depend on the abundance of specific substrate carotenoids in the diet. Birds fed with proportionally higher levels of zeaxanthin showed the reddest ornaments with the highest astaxanthin concentrations. Moreover, these birds tended to show the strongest diquat-mediated effect. Therefore, in the evolution of carotenoid-based sexual signals, a biotransformation cost derived from maintaining a well-adjusted redox machinery could coexist with a cost linked to carotenoid acquisition and allocation (i.e. a resource allocation trade-off).
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther García-de Blas
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM , Ciudad Real , Spain
| | - Rafael Mateo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM , Ciudad Real , Spain
| | - Carlos Alonso-Alvarez
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ciudad Real, Spain; Ecología Evolituva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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Schull Q, Dobson FS, Stier A, Robin JP, Bize P, Viblanc VA. Beak color dynamically signals changes in fasting status and parasite loads in king penguins. Behav Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arw091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
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Iglesias-Carrasco M, Head ML, Jennions MD, Cabido C. Condition-dependent trade-offs between sexual traits, body condition and immunity: the effect of novel habitats. BMC Evol Biol 2016; 16:135. [PMID: 27329759 PMCID: PMC4915150 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-016-0706-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The optimal allocation of resources to sexual signals and other life history traits is usually dependent on an individual's condition, while variation in the expression of sexual traits across environments depends on the combined effects of local adaptation, mean condition, and phenotypic responses to environment-specific cues that affect resource allocation. A clear contrast can often be drawn between natural habitats and novel habitats, such as forest plantations and urban areas. In some species, males seem to change their sexual signals in these novel environments, but why this occurs and how it affects signal reliability is still poorly understood. RESULTS The relative size of sexual traits and level of immune responses were significantly lower for male palmate newts Lissotriton helveticus caught in pine and eucalyptus plantations compared to those caught in native forests, but there was no habitat-dependent difference in body condition (n = 18 sites, 382 males). The reliability with which sexual traits signalled body condition and immune responses was the same in all three habitats. Finally, we conducted a mesocosm experiment in which males were maintained in pine, eucalypt or oak infused water for 21 days. Males in plantation-like water (pine or eucalypt) showed significantly lower immune responses but no change in body condition. This matches the pattern seen for field-caught males. Unlike field-caught males, however, there was no relationship between water type and relative sexual trait size. CONCLUSIONS Pine and eucalyptus plantations are likely to be detrimental to male palmate newt because they are associated with reduced immune function and smaller sexual traits. This could be because ecological aspects of these novel habitats, such as high water turbidity or changes in male-male competition, drive selection for reduced investment into sexual traits. However, it is more probable that there are differences in the ease of acquisition, hence optimal allocation, of resources among habitats. Our mesocosm experiment also provides some evidence that water toxicity is a causal factor. Our findings offer insights into how plantations affect amphibian life histories, and how novel habitats might generate long-term selection for new resource allocation strategies in native species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maider Iglesias-Carrasco
- />Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
- />Department of Herpetology, Aranzadi Science Society, Alto de Zorroaga, 1, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Megan L. Head
- />Division of Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT Australia
| | - Michael D. Jennions
- />Division of Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT Australia
| | - Carlos Cabido
- />Department of Herpetology, Aranzadi Science Society, Alto de Zorroaga, 1, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
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Moreno-Rueda G. Uropygial gland and bib colouration in the house sparrow. PeerJ 2016; 4:e2102. [PMID: 27280079 PMCID: PMC4893339 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Birds frequently signal different qualities by plumage colouration, mainly during mating. However, plumage colouration is determined during the moult, and therefore it would indicate the quality of individual birds during the moult, not its current quality. Recent studies, however, suggest that birds could modify plumage colouration by using cosmetic preen oil produced by the uropygial gland. In this study, I show that bib colouration is related to uropygial gland size and body condition in male house sparrows (Passer domesticus). Moreover, I conducted an experiment in which a group of sparrows were inoculated with an antigen, mimicking an illness. In control birds, short-term changes in bib colouration were related to both body condition and change in uropygial gland size. Therefore, birds that reduced uropygial gland size showed a greater colouration change. However, bib colouration did not change with the change in uropygial gland size in experimental birds inoculated with the antigen. Given that the experiment did not affect preen oil production or consumption, this finding tentatively suggests that the immune challenge provoked a change in the composition of preen oil, affecting its cosmetic properties. In short, the results of this study suggest that (1) male house sparrows produce cosmetic preen oil that alters the colouration of their bibs; (2) the more change in uropygial gland size, the more change in bib colouration; and (3) in this way, bib colouration has the potential to signal current health status, since less healthy birds showed less capacity to change bib colouration.
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Vitousek MN, Tomášek O, Albrecht T, Wilkins MR, Safran RJ. Signal Traits and Oxidative Stress: A Comparative Study across Populations with Divergent Signals. Front Ecol Evol 2016. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2016.00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Simons MJP, Briga M, Verhulst S. Stabilizing survival selection on presenescent expression of a sexual ornament followed by a terminal decline. J Evol Biol 2016; 29:1368-78. [PMID: 27061923 PMCID: PMC4957616 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Revised: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Senescence is a decrease in functional capacity, increasing mortality rate with age. Sexual signals indicate functional capacity, because costs of ornamentation ensure signal honesty, and are therefore expected to senesce, tracking physiological deterioration and mortality. For sexual traits, mixed associations with age and positive associations with life expectancy have been reported. However, whether these associations are caused by selective disappearance and/or within-individual senescence of sexual signals, respectively, is not known. We previously reported that zebra finches with redder bills had greater life expectancy, based on a single bill colour measurement per individual. We here extend this analysis using longitudinal data and show that this finding is attributable to terminal declines in bill redness in the year before death, with no detectable change in presenescent redness. Additionally, there was a quadratic relationship between presenescent bill colouration and survival: individuals with intermediate bill redness have maximum survival prospects. This may reflect that redder individuals overinvest in colouration and/or associated physiological changes, while below-average bill redness probably reflects poorer phenotypic quality. Together, this pattern suggests that bill colouration is defended against physiological deterioration, because of mate attraction benefits, or that physiological deterioration is not a gradual process, but accelerates sharply prior to death. We discuss these possibilities in the context of the reliability theory of ageing and sexual selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J P Simons
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - M Briga
- Behavioural Biology, Centre for Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - S Verhulst
- Behavioural Biology, Centre for Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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