1
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Eliason CM, Nicolaï MPJ, Bom C, Blom E, D'Alba L, Shawkey MD. Transitions between colour mechanisms affect speciation dynamics and range distributions of birds. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:1723-1734. [PMID: 39060476 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-024-02487-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Several ecogeographical 'rules' have been proposed to explain colour variation at broad spatial and phylogenetic scales but these rarely consider whether colours are based on pigments or structural colours. However, mechanism can have profound effects on the function and evolution of colours. Here, we combine geographic information, climate data and colour mechanism at broad phylogenetic (9,409 species) and spatial scales (global) to determine how transitions between pigmentary and structural colours influence speciation dynamics and range distributions in birds. Among structurally coloured species, we find that rapid dispersal into tropical regions drove the accumulation of iridescent species, whereas the build-up of non-iridescent species in the tropics was driven by a combination of dispersal and faster in situ evolution in the tropics. These results could be explained by pleiotropic links between colouration and dispersal behaviour or ecological factors influencing colonization success. These data elucidate geographic patterns of colouration at a global scale and provide testable hypotheses for future work on birds and other animals with structural colours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad M Eliason
- Grainger Bioinformatics Center, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Negaunee Integrative Research Center, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Michaël P J Nicolaï
- Biology Department, Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Recent Vertebrates, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cynthia Bom
- Faculty of Science, Ecology & Evolution, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eline Blom
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Liliana D'Alba
- Biology Department, Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Matthew D Shawkey
- Biology Department, Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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2
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Liu J, Bitsue HK, Yang Z. Skin colour: A window into human phenotypic evolution and environmental adaptation. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17369. [PMID: 38713101 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
As modern humans ventured out of Africa and dispersed around the world, they faced novel environmental challenges that led to geographic adaptations including skin colour. Over the long history of human evolution, skin colour has changed dramatically, showing tremendous diversity across different geographical regions, for example, the majority of individuals from the expansive lands of Africa have darker skin, whereas the majority of people from Eurasia exhibit lighter skin. What adaptations did lighter skin confer upon modern humans as they migrated from Africa to Eurasia? What genetic mechanisms underlie the diversity of skin colour observed in different populations? In recent years, scientists have gradually gained a deeper understanding of the interactions between pigmentation gene and skin colour through population-based genomic studies of different groups around the world, particularly in East Asia and Africa. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of 26 skin colour-related pigmentation genes and 48 SNPs that influence skin colour. Important pigmentation genes across three major populations are described in detail: MFSD12, SLC24A5, PDPK1 and DDB1/CYB561A3/TMEM138 influence skin colour in African populations; OCA2, KITLG, SLC24A2, GNPAT and PAH are key to the evolution of skin pigmentation in East Asian populations; and SLC24A5, SLC45A2, TYR, TYRP1, ASIP, MC1R and IRF4 significantly contribute to the lightening of skin colour in European populations. We summarized recent findings in genomic studies of skin colour in populations that implicate diverse geographic environments, local adaptation among populations, gene flow and multi-gene interactions as factors influencing skin colour diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiuming Liu
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Habtom K Bitsue
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhaohui Yang
- Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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3
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Salmón P, López-Idiáquez D, Capilla-Lasheras P, Pérez-Tris J, Isaksson C, Watson H. Urbanisation impacts plumage colouration in a songbird across Europe: Evidence from a correlational, experimental and meta-analytical approach. J Anim Ecol 2023; 92:1924-1936. [PMID: 37574652 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Urbanisation is accelerating across the globe, transforming landscapes, presenting organisms with novel challenges, shaping phenotypes and impacting fitness. Urban individuals are claimed to have duller carotenoid-based colouration, compared to their non-urban counterparts, the so-called 'urban dullness' phenomenon. However, at the intraspecific level, this generalisation is surprisingly inconsistent and often based on comparisons of single urban/non-urban populations or studies from a limited geographical area. Here, we combine correlational, experimental and meta-analytical data on a common songbird, the great tit Parus major, to investigate carotenoid-based plumage colouration in urban and forest populations across Europe. We find that, as predicted, urban individuals are paler than forest individuals, although there are large population-specific differences in the magnitude of the urban-forest contrast in colouration. Using one focal region (Malmö, Sweden), we reveal population-specific processes behind plumage colouration differences, which are unlikely to be the result of genetic or early-life conditions, but instead a consequence of environmental factors acting after fledging. Finally, our meta-analysis indicates that the urban dullness phenomenon is well established in the literature, for great tits, with consistent changes in carotenoid-based plumage traits, particularly carotenoid chroma, in response to anthropogenic disturbances. Overall, our results provide evidence for uniformity in the 'urban dullness' phenomenon but also highlight that the magnitude of the effect on colouration depends on local urban characteristics. Future long-term replicated studies, covering a wider range of species and feeding guilds, will be essential to further our understanding of the eco-evolutionary implications of this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Salmón
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - David López-Idiáquez
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
- CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Pablo Capilla-Lasheras
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Javier Pérez-Tris
- Evolution and Conservation Biology Research Group, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Hannah Watson
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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4
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McCoy DE, Shultz AJ, Dall JE, Dionne JA, Johnsen S. The carotenoid redshift: Physical basis and implications for visual signaling. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10408. [PMID: 37693937 PMCID: PMC10485323 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10408] [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: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Carotenoid pigments are the basis for much red, orange, and yellow coloration in nature and central to visual signaling. However, as pigment concentration increases, carotenoid signals not only darken and become more saturated but they also redshift; for example, orange pigments can look red at higher concentration. This occurs because light experiences exponential attenuation, and carotenoid-based signals have spectrally asymmetric reflectance in the visible range. Adding pigment disproportionately affects the high-absorbance regions of the reflectance spectra, which redshifts the perceived hue. This carotenoid redshift is substantial and perceivable by animal observers. In addition, beyond pigment concentration, anything that increases the path length of light through pigment causes this redshift (including optical nano- and microstructures). For example, male Ramphocelus tanagers appear redder than females, despite the same population and concentration of carotenoids, due to microstructures that enhance light-pigment interaction. This mechanism of carotenoid redshift has sensory and evolutionary consequences for honest signaling in that structures that redshift carotenoid ornaments may decrease signal honesty. More generally, nearly all colorful signals vary in hue, saturation, and brightness as light-pigment interactions change, due to spectrally asymmetrical reflectance within the visible range of the relevant species. Therefore, the three attributes of color need to be considered together in studies of honest visual signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakota E. McCoy
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringStanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
- Hopkins Marine StationStanford UniversityPacific GroveCaliforniaUSA
- Department of BiologyDuke UniversityDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Allison J. Shultz
- Ornithology DepartmentNatural History Museum of Los Angeles CountyLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jacqueline E. Dall
- Ornithology DepartmentNatural History Museum of Los Angeles CountyLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jennifer A. Dionne
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringStanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
- Department of RadiologyStanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sönke Johnsen
- Department of BiologyDuke UniversityDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
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5
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Delhey K, Valcu M, Dale J, Kempenaers B. The evolution of carotenoid-based plumage colours in passerine birds. J Anim Ecol 2023; 92:66-77. [PMID: 35899818 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Many birds use carotenoids to colour their plumage yellow to red. Because birds cannot synthesise carotenoids, they need to obtain these pigments from food, although some species metabolise dietary carotenoids (which are often yellow) into derived carotenoids (often red). Here, we study the occurrence of yellow and red carotenoid-based plumage colours in the passerines, the largest bird radiation and quantify the effects of potential ecological and life-history drivers on their evolution. We scored the presence/absence of yellow and red carotenoid-based plumage in nearly 6,000 species and use Bayesian phylogenetic mixed models to assess the effects of carotenoid-availability in diet, primary productivity, body size, habitat and sexual selection. We also test the widespread assumption that red carotenoid-based colours are more likely to be the result of metabolization. Finally, we analyse the pattern of evolutionary transitions between yellow and red carotenoid-based plumage colours to determine whether, as predicted, the evolution of yellow carotenoid-based colours precedes red. We show that, as expected, both colours are more likely to evolve in smaller species and in species with carotenoid-rich diets. Yellow carotenoid-based plumage colours, but not red, are more prevalent in species that inhabit environments with higher primary productivity and closed vegetation. In general, females were more likely to have yellow and males more likely to have red carotenoid-based plumage colours, closely matching the effects of sexual selection. Our analyses also confirm that red carotenoid-based colours are more likely to be metabolised than yellow carotenoid-based colours. Evolutionary gains and losses of yellow and red carotenoid-based plumage colours indicate that red colours evolved more readily in species that already deposited yellow carotenoids, while the reverse was rarely the case. Our study provides evidence for a general, directional evolutionary trend from yellow to red carotenoid-based colours, which are more likely to be the result of metabolization. This may render them potentially better indicators of quality, and thus favoured by sexual selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaspar Delhey
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany.,Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Mihai Valcu
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - James Dale
- Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
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6
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Hu L, Long J, Lin Y, Gu Z, Su H, Dong X, Lin Z, Xiao Q, Batbayar N, Bold B, Deutschová L, Ganusevich S, Sokolov V, Sokolov A, Patel HR, Waters PD, Graves JAM, Dixon A, Pan S, Zhan X. Arctic introgression and chromatin regulation facilitated rapid Qinghai-Tibet Plateau colonization by an avian predator. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6413. [PMID: 36302769 PMCID: PMC9613686 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34138-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), possesses a climate as cold as that of the Arctic, and also presents uniquely low oxygen concentrations and intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation. QTP animals have adapted to these extreme conditions, but whether they obtained genetic variations from the Arctic during cold adaptation, and how genomic mutations in non-coding regions regulate gene expression under hypoxia and intense UV environment, remain largely unknown. Here, we assemble a high-quality saker falcon genome and resequence populations across Eurasia. We identify female-biased hybridization with Arctic gyrfalcons in the last glacial maximum, that endowed eastern sakers with alleles conveying larger body size and changes in fat metabolism, predisposing their QTP cold adaptation. We discover that QTP hypoxia and UV adaptations mainly involve independent changes in non-coding genomic variants. Our study highlights key roles of gene flow from Arctic relatives during QTP hypothermia adaptation, and cis-regulatory elements during hypoxic response and UV protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Hu
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Cardiff University - Institute of Zoology Joint Laboratory for Biocomplexity Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China
| | - Juan Long
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Cardiff University - Institute of Zoology Joint Laboratory for Biocomplexity Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China
| | - Yi Lin
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Cardiff University - Institute of Zoology Joint Laboratory for Biocomplexity Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China
| | - Zhongru Gu
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Cardiff University - Institute of Zoology Joint Laboratory for Biocomplexity Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Han Su
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Cardiff University - Institute of Zoology Joint Laboratory for Biocomplexity Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China
| | - Xuemin Dong
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China
| | - Zhenzhen Lin
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Cardiff University - Institute of Zoology Joint Laboratory for Biocomplexity Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Qian Xiao
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China ,grid.20513.350000 0004 1789 9964Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
| | - Nyambayar Batbayar
- Wildlife Science and Conservation Center, Union Building B-802, Ulaanbaatar, 14210 Mongolia
| | - Batbayar Bold
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China ,Wildlife Science and Conservation Center, Union Building B-802, Ulaanbaatar, 14210 Mongolia
| | - Lucia Deutschová
- grid.455051.0Raptor Protection of Slovakia, Trhová 54, SK-841 01, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Sergey Ganusevich
- Wild Animal Rescue Centre, Krasnostudencheskiy pr., 21-45, Moscow, 125422 Russia
| | - Vasiliy Sokolov
- grid.426536.00000 0004 1760 306XInstitute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ural Division Russian Academy of Sciences, 202-8 Marta Street, Ekaterinburg, 620144 Russia
| | - Aleksandr Sokolov
- Arctic Research Station of the Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ural Division Russian Academy of Sciences, 21 Zelenaya Gorka, Labytnangi, Yamalo-Nenetski District 629400 Russia
| | - Hardip R. Patel
- grid.1001.00000 0001 2180 7477The John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Paul D. Waters
- grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, Faculty of Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052 Australia
| | | | - Andrew Dixon
- Emirates Falconers’ Club, Al Mamoura Building (A), P.O. Box 47716, Muroor Road, Abu Dhabi, UAE ,grid.511767.30000 0004 5895 0922International Wildlife Consultants, P.O. Box 19, Carmarthen, SA33 5YL UK
| | - Shengkai Pan
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Cardiff University - Institute of Zoology Joint Laboratory for Biocomplexity Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
| | - Xiangjiang Zhan
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Cardiff University - Institute of Zoology Joint Laboratory for Biocomplexity Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223 China
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7
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Toomey MB, Marques CI, Araújo PM, Huang D, Zhong S, Liu Y, Schreiner GD, Myers CA, Pereira P, Afonso S, Andrade P, Gazda MA, Lopes RJ, Viegas I, Koch RE, Haynes ME, Smith DJ, Ogawa Y, Murphy D, Kopec RE, Parichy DM, Carneiro M, Corbo JC. A mechanism for red coloration in vertebrates. Curr Biol 2022; 32:4201-4214.e12. [PMID: 36049480 PMCID: PMC9588406 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Red coloration is a salient feature of the natural world. Many vertebrates produce red color by converting dietary yellow carotenoids into red ketocarotenoids via an unknown mechanism. Here, we show that two enzymes, cytochrome P450 2J19 (CYP2J19) and 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase 1-like (BDH1L), are sufficient to catalyze this conversion. In birds, both enzymes are expressed at the sites of ketocarotenoid biosynthesis (feather follicles and red cone photoreceptors), and genetic evidence implicates these enzymes in yellow/red color variation in feathers. In fish, the homologs of CYP2J19 and BDH1L are required for ketocarotenoid production, and we show that these enzymes are sufficient to produce ketocarotenoids in cell culture and when ectopically expressed in fish skin. Finally, we demonstrate that the red-cone-enriched tetratricopeptide repeat protein 39B (TTC39B) enhances ketocarotenoid production when co-expressed with CYP2J19 and BDH1L. The discovery of this mechanism of ketocarotenoid biosynthesis has major implications for understanding the evolution of color diversity in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew B Toomey
- Department of Biological Science, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA.
| | - Cristiana I Marques
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro M Araújo
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal; University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Delai Huang
- Department of Biology and Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Siqiong Zhong
- Program in Human Nutrition, Department of Human Sciences, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Gretchen D Schreiner
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Connie A Myers
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Paulo Pereira
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra Afonso
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Pedro Andrade
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Małgorzata A Gazda
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Ricardo J Lopes
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal; MHNC-UP, Natural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ivan Viegas
- University of Coimbra, Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rebecca E Koch
- Department of Biological Science, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Maureen E Haynes
- Department of Biological Science, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Dustin J Smith
- Department of Biological Science, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Yohey Ogawa
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Daniel Murphy
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Rachel E Kopec
- Program in Human Nutrition, Department of Human Sciences, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - David M Parichy
- Department of Biology and Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Miguel Carneiro
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal.
| | - Joseph C Corbo
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
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8
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Alonso-Alvarez C, Andrade P, Cantarero A, Morales J, Carneiro M. Relocation to avoid costs: A hypothesis on red carotenoid-based signals based on recent CYP2J19 gene expression data. Bioessays 2022; 44:e2200037. [PMID: 36209392 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200037] [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: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
In many vertebrates, the enzymatic oxidation of dietary yellow carotenoids generates red keto-carotenoids giving color to ornaments. The oxidase CYP2J19 is here a key effector. Its purported intracellular location suggests a shared biochemical pathway between trait expression and cell functioning. This might guarantee the reliability of red colorations as individual quality signals independent of production costs. We hypothesize that the ornament type (feathers vs. bare parts) and production costs (probably CYP2J19 activity compromising vital functions) could have promoted tissue-specific gene relocation. We review current avian tissue-specific CYP2J19 expression data. Among the ten red-billed species showing CYP2J19 bill expression, only one showed strong hepatic expression. Moreover, a phylogenetically-controlled analysis of 25 red-colored species shows that those producing red bare parts are less likely to have strong hepatic CYP2J19 expression than species with only red plumages. Thus, both production costs and shared pathways might have contributed to the evolution of red signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Alonso-Alvarez
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences - CSIC. C/ José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Andrade
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal.,BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Alejandro Cantarero
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences - CSIC. C/ José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Physiology, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Judith Morales
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences - CSIC. C/ José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Carneiro
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal.,BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal
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9
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Ruiz ER. Un raro caso de dilución pastel en Trogon elegans (Aves: Trogonidae) en la Reserva de la Biosfera El Cielo, México. REVISTA PERUANA DE BIOLOGÍA 2022. [DOI: 10.15381/rpb.v29i2.21854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Las coloraciones anormales en aves son raras y poco documentadas. Se han relacionado a problemas congénitos y con factores externos, consideradas como un indicador ambiental que da evidencia y pistas sobre la calidad de las poblaciones a nivel genético. Identificamos un caso de anormalidad pigmentaria en un trogón elegante (Trogon elegans (Gould, 1834)) en el Área Natural Protegida Reserva de la Biosfera El Cielo, México. Determinamos el tipo como dilución pastel, en esta mutación ambas melaninas se ven fuertemente afectadas, donde carecía de melanina, pero mantuvo los carotenoides con el rojo de las plumas ventrales. Discutimos posibles explicaciones para esta coloración anormal y asumimos que fueron alteraciones genéticas o de desarrollo del individuo las que causaron el decolorado del plumaje.
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10
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Davis SN, Clarke JA. Estimating the distribution of carotenoid coloration in skin and integumentary structures of birds and extinct dinosaurs. Evolution 2021; 76:42-57. [PMID: 34719783 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Carotenoids are pigments responsible for most bright yellow, red, and orange hues in birds. Their distribution has been investigated in avian plumage, but the evolution of their expression in skin and other integumentary structures has not been approached in detail. Here, we investigate the expression of carotenoid-consistent coloration across tissue types in all extant, nonpasserine species (n = 4022) and archelosaur outgroups in a phylogenetic framework. We collect dietary data for a subset of birds and investigate how dietary carotenoid intake may relate to carotenoid expression in various tissues. We find that carotenoid-consistent expression in skin or nonplumage keratin has a 50% probability of being present in the most recent common ancestor of Archosauria. Skin expression has a similar probability at the base of the avian crown clade, but plumage expression is unambiguously absent in that ancestor and shows hundreds of independent gains within nonpasserine neognaths, consistent with previous studies. Although our data do not support a strict sequence of tissue expression in nonpasserine birds, we find support that expression of carotenoid-consistent color in nonplumage integument structures might evolve in a correlated manner and feathers are rarely the only region of expression. Taxa with diets high in carotenoid content also show expression in more body regions and tissue types. Our results may inform targeted assays for carotenoids in tissues other than feathers, and expectations of these pigments in nonavian dinosaurs. In extinct groups, bare-skin regions and the rhamphotheca, especially in species with diets rich in plants, may express these pigments, which are not expected in feathers or feather homologues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N Davis
- Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712
| | - Julia A Clarke
- Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712.,Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712
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11
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Marcondes RS, Nations JA, Seeholzer GF, Brumfield RT. Rethinking Gloger's Rule: Climate, Light Environments, and Color in a Large Family of Tropical Birds (Furnariidae). Am Nat 2021; 197:592-606. [PMID: 33908827 DOI: 10.1086/713386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractEcogeographic rules provide a framework within which to test evolutionary hypotheses of adaptation. Gloger's rule predicts that endothermic animals should have darker colors in warm/rainy climates. This rule also predicts that animals should be more rufous in warm/dry climates, the so-called complex Gloger's rule. Empirical studies frequently demonstrate that animals are darker in cool/wet climates rather than in warm/wet climates. Furthermore, sensory ecology predicts that, to enhance crypsis, animals should be darker in darker light environments. We aimed to disentangle the effects of climate and light environments on plumage color in the large Neotropical passerine family Furnariidae. We found that birds in cooler and rainier climates had darker plumage even after controlling for habitat type. Birds in darker habitats had darker plumage even after controlling for climate. The effects of temperature and precipitation interact so that the negative effect of precipitation on brightness is strongest in cool temperatures. Finally, birds tended to be more rufous in warm/dry habitats but also, surprisingly, in cool/wet locales. We suggest that Gloger's rule results from complementary selective pressures arising from myriad ecological factors, including crypsis, thermoregulation, parasite deterrence, and resistance to feather abrasion.
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12
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Kirschel ANG, Nwankwo EC, Pierce DK, Lukhele SM, Moysi M, Ogolowa BO, Hayes SC, Monadjem A, Brelsford A. CYP2J19 mediates carotenoid colour introgression across a natural avian hybrid zone. Mol Ecol 2020; 29:4970-4984. [PMID: 33058329 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
It has long been of interest to identify the phenotypic traits that mediate reproductive isolation between related species, and more recently, the genes that underpin them. Much work has focused on identifying genes associated with animal colour, with the candidate gene CYP2J19 identified in laboratory studies as the ketolase converting yellow dietary carotenoids to red ketocarotenoids in birds with red pigments. However, evidence that CYP2J19 explains variation between red and yellow feather coloration in wild populations of birds is lacking. Hybrid zones provide the opportunity to identify genes associated with specific traits. Here we investigate genomic regions associated with colour in red-fronted and yellow-fronted tinkerbirds across a hybrid zone in southern Africa. We sampled 85 individuals, measuring spectral reflectance of forecrown feathers and scoring colours from photographs, while testing for carotenoid presence with Raman spectroscopy. We performed a genome-wide association study to identify associations with carotenoid-based coloration, using double-digest RAD sequencing aligned to a short-read whole genome of a Pogoniulus tinkerbird. Admixture mapping using 104,933 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified a region of chromosome 8 that includes CYP2J19 as the only locus with more than two SNPs significantly associated with both crown hue and crown score, while Raman spectra provided evidence of ketocarotenoids in red feathers. Asymmetric backcrossing in the hybrid zone suggests that yellow-fronted females mate more often with red-fronted males than vice versa. Female red-fronted tinkerbirds mating assortatively with red-crowned males is consistent with the hypothesis that converted carotenoids are an honest signal of quality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emmanuel C Nwankwo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Daniel K Pierce
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Sifiso M Lukhele
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Michaella Moysi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Bridget O Ogolowa
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Sophia C Hayes
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Ara Monadjem
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Eswatini, Kwaluseni, Eswatini.,Department of Zoology & Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | - Alan Brelsford
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
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13
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Khalil S, Welklin JF, McGraw KJ, Boersma J, Schwabl H, Webster MS, Karubian J. Testosterone regulates CYP2J19-linked carotenoid signal expression in male red-backed fairywrens ( Malurus melanocephalus). Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20201687. [PMID: 32933448 PMCID: PMC7542802 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.1687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Carotenoid pigments produce most red, orange and yellow colours in vertebrates. This coloration can serve as an honest signal of quality that mediates social and mating interactions, but our understanding of the underlying mechanisms that control carotenoid signal production, including how different physiological pathways interact to shape and maintain these signals, remains incomplete. We investigated the role of testosterone in mediating gene expression associated with a red plumage sexual signal in red-backed fairywrens (Malurus melanocephalus). In this species, males within a single population can flexibly produce either red/black nuptial plumage or female-like brown plumage. Combining correlational analyses with a field-based testosterone implant experiment and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we show that testosterone mediates expression of carotenoid-based plumage in part by regulating expression of CYP2J19, a ketolase gene associated with ketocarotenoid metabolism and pigmentation in birds. This is, to our knowledge, the first time that hormonal regulation of a specific genetic locus has been linked to carotenoid production in a natural context, revealing how endocrine mechanisms produce sexual signals that shape reproductive success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Khalil
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Joseph F. Welklin
- Macaulay Library, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Kevin J. McGraw
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Jordan Boersma
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Hubert Schwabl
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Michael S. Webster
- Macaulay Library, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Jordan Karubian
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
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14
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Krishnan A, Singh A, Tamma K. Visual signal evolution along complementary color axes in four bird lineages. Biol Open 2020; 9:bio052316. [PMID: 32878876 PMCID: PMC7520455 DOI: 10.1242/bio.052316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian color patterns function in varied behavioral contexts, most being produced by only a handful of mechanisms including feather nanostructures and pigments. Within a clade, colors may not occupy the entire available space, and incorporating complementary colors may increase the contrast and efficacy of visual signals. Here, we describe plumage patterns in four ecologically and phylogenetically diverse bird families to test whether they possess complementary colors. We present evidence that plumage colors in each clade cluster along a line in tetrachromatic color space. Additionally, we present evidence that in three of these clades, this line contains colors on opposite sides of a line passing through the achromatic point (putatively complementary colors, presenting higher chromatic contrast). Finally, interspecific color variation over at least some regions of the body is not constrained by phylogenetic relatedness. By describing plumage patterns in four diverse lineages, we add to the growing body of literature suggesting that the diversity of bird visual signals is constrained. Further, we tentatively hypothesize that in at least some clades possessing bright colors, species-specific plumage patterns may evolve by swapping the distributions of a complementary color pair. Further research on other bird clades may help confirm whether these patterns are general across bird families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Krishnan
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pashan Road, Pune 411008, India
| | | | - Krishnapriya Tamma
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
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15
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Streckaite S, Macernis M, Li F, Kuthanová Trsková E, Litvin R, Yang C, Pascal AA, Valkunas L, Robert B, Llansola-Portoles MJ. Modeling Dynamic Conformations of Organic Molecules: Alkyne Carotenoids in Solution. J Phys Chem A 2020; 124:2792-2801. [PMID: 32163283 PMCID: PMC7313542 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.9b11536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Calculating
the spectroscopic properties of complex conjugated
organic molecules in their relaxed state is far from simple. An additional complexity arises for
flexible molecules in solution, where the rotational energy barriers
are low enough so that nonminimum conformations may become dynamically
populated. These metastable conformations quickly relax during the
minimization procedures preliminary to density functional theory calculations,
and so accounting for their contribution to the experimentally observed
properties is problematic. We describe a strategy for stabilizing
these nonminimum conformations in silico, allowing
their properties to be calculated. Diadinoxanthin and alloxanthin
present atypical vibrational properties in solution, indicating the
presence of several conformations. Performing energy calculations in vacuo and polarizable continuum model calculations in
different solvents, we found three different conformations with values
for the δ dihedral angle of the end ring ca. 0, 180, and 90°
with respect to the plane of the conjugated chain. The latter conformation,
a nonglobal minimum, is not stable during the minimization necessary
for modeling its spectroscopic properties. To circumvent this classical
problem, we used a Car–Parinello MD supermolecular approach,
in which diadinoxanthin was solvated by water molecules so that metastable
conformations were stabilized by hydrogen-bonding interactions. We
progressively removed the number of solvating waters to find the minimum
required for this stabilization. This strategy represents the first
modeling of a carotenoid in a distorted conformation and provides
an accurate interpretation of the experimental data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Streckaite
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Mindaugas Macernis
- Institute of Chemical Physics, Faculty of Physics, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio Ave. 3, LT-10222 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Fei Li
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.,Key Laboratory of Photobiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100093 Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Eliška Kuthanová Trsková
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.,Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 379 81 Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Litvin
- Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Chunhong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Photobiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100093 Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Andrew A Pascal
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Leonas Valkunas
- Institute of Chemical Physics, Faculty of Physics, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio Ave. 3, LT-10222 Vilnius, Lithuania.,Molecular Compounds Physics Department, Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Sauletekio Ave. 3, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Bruno Robert
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Manuel J Llansola-Portoles
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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16
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Fogelholm J, Henriksen R, Höglund A, Huq N, Johnsson M, Lenz R, Jensen P, Wright D. CREBBP and WDR 24 Identified as Candidate Genes for Quantitative Variation in Red-Brown Plumage Colouration in the Chicken. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1161. [PMID: 31980681 PMCID: PMC6981141 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57710-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Plumage colouration in birds is important for a plethora of reasons, ranging from camouflage, sexual signalling, and species recognition. The genes underlying colour variation have been vital in understanding how genes can affect a phenotype. Multiple genes have been identified that affect plumage variation, but research has principally focused on major-effect genes (such as those causing albinism, barring, and the like), rather than the smaller effect modifier loci that more subtly influence colour. By utilising a domestic × wild advanced intercross with a combination of classical QTL mapping of red colouration as a quantitative trait and a targeted genetical genomics approach, we have identified five separate candidate genes (CREBBP, WDR24, ARL8A, PHLDA3, LAD1) that putatively influence quantitative variation in red-brown colouration in chickens. By treating colour as a quantitative rather than qualitative trait, we have identified both QTL and genes of small effect. Such small effect loci are potentially far more prevalent in wild populations, and can therefore potentially be highly relevant to colour evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Fogelholm
- AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, IFM Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, 58183, Sweden
| | - R Henriksen
- AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, IFM Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, 58183, Sweden
| | - A Höglund
- AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, IFM Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, 58183, Sweden
| | - N Huq
- AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, IFM Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, 58183, Sweden
| | - M Johnsson
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, Scotland, United Kingdom.,Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7023, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - R Lenz
- ITN Dept of Science and Technology, Linköping University, Linköping, 58183, Sweden
| | - P Jensen
- AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, IFM Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, 58183, Sweden
| | - D Wright
- AVIAN Behavioural Genomics and Physiology Group, IFM Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, 58183, Sweden.
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17
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18
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Babarović F, Puttick MN, Zaher M, Learmonth E, Gallimore EJ, Smithwick FM, Mayr G, Vinther J. Characterization of melanosomes involved in the production of non-iridescent structural feather colours and their detection in the fossil record. J R Soc Interface 2019; 16:20180921. [PMID: 31238836 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2018.0921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-iridescent structural colour in avian feathers is produced by coherent light scattering through quasi-ordered nanocavities in the keratin cortex of the barbs. To absorb unscattered light, melanosomes form a basal layer underneath the nanocavities. It has been shown that throughout Aves, melanosome morphology reflects broad categories of melanin-based coloration, as well as iridescence, allowing identification of palaeocolours in exceptionally preserved fossils. However, no studies have yet investigated the morphology of melanosomes in non-iridescent structural colour. Here, we analyse a wide sample of melanosomes from feathers that express non-iridescent structural colour from a phylogenetically broad range of extant avians to describe their morphology and compare them with other avian melanosome categories. We find that investigated melanosomes are typically wide (approx. 300 nm) and long (approx. 1400 nm), distinct from melanosomes found in black, brown and iridescent feathers, but overlapping significantly with melanosomes from grey feathers. This may suggest a developmental, and perhaps evolutionary, relationship between grey coloration and non-iridescent structural colours. We show that through analyses of fossil melanosomes, melanosomes indicative of non-iridescent structural colour can be predicted in an Eocene stem group roller ( Eocoracias: Coraciiformes) and with phylogenetic comparative methods the likely hue can be surmised. The overlap between melanosomes from grey and non-iridescent structurally coloured feathers complicates their distinction in fossil samples where keratin does not preserve. However, the abundance of grey coloration relative to non-iridescent structural coloration makes the former a more likely occurrence except in phylogenetically bracketed specimens like the specimen of Eocoracias studied here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frane Babarović
- 1 Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield , Sheffield S10 2TN , UK.,3 School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol , Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ , UK
| | - Mark N Puttick
- 2 Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath , Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY , UK
| | - Marta Zaher
- 3 School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol , Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ , UK
| | - Elizabeth Learmonth
- 4 School of Biological Sciences , Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TH , UK
| | - Emily-Jane Gallimore
- 4 School of Biological Sciences , Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TH , UK
| | - Fiann M Smithwick
- 3 School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol , Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ , UK
| | - Gerald Mayr
- 5 Senckenberg Research Institute, Section of Ornithology , Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main , Germany
| | - Jakob Vinther
- 3 School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol , Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ , UK.,4 School of Biological Sciences , Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TH , UK
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19
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Sexual selection predicts the rate and direction of colour divergence in a large avian radiation. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1773. [PMID: 30992444 PMCID: PMC6467902 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09859-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual selection is proposed to be a powerful driver of phenotypic evolution in animal systems. At macroevolutionary scales, sexual selection can theoretically drive both the rate and direction of phenotypic evolution, but this hypothesis remains contentious. Here, we find that differences in the rate and direction of plumage colour evolution are predicted by a proxy for sexual selection intensity (plumage dichromatism) in a large radiation of suboscine passerine birds (Tyrannida). We show that rates of plumage evolution are correlated between the sexes, but that sexual selection has a strong positive effect on male, but not female, interspecific divergence rates. Furthermore, we demonstrate that rapid male plumage divergence is biased towards carotenoid-based (red/yellow) colours widely assumed to represent honest sexual signals. Our results highlight the central role of sexual selection in driving avian colour divergence, and reveal the existence of convergent evolutionary responses of animal signalling traits under sexual selection. What factors explain variation in the pace and trajectory of evolutionary divergence between lineages? Here, the authors show that a proxy measure for sexual selection intensity predicts both the rate and direction of plumage colour evolution in a diverse radiation of New World passerine birds.
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20
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Wurtzel ET. Changing Form and Function through Carotenoids and Synthetic Biology. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 179:830-843. [PMID: 30361256 PMCID: PMC6393808 DOI: 10.1104/pp.18.01122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The diverse structures and multifaceted roles of carotenoids make these colorful pigments attractive targets for synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanore T Wurtzel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehman College, The City University of New York, Bronx, New York 10468
- The Graduate School and University Center-CUNY, New York, New York 10016-4309
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21
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Eliason CM, Andersen MJ, Hackett SJ. Using Historical Biogeography Models to Study Color Pattern Evolution. Syst Biol 2019; 68:755-766. [DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syz012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Color is among the most striking features of organisms, varying not only in spectral properties like hue and brightness, but also in where and how it is produced on the body. Different combinations of colors on a bird’s body are important in both environmental and social contexts. Previous comparative studies have treated plumage patches individually or derived plumage complexity scores from color measurements across a bird’s body. However, these approaches do not consider the multivariate nature of plumages (allowing for plumage to evolve as a whole) or account for interpatch distances. Here, we leverage a rich toolkit used in historical biogeography to assess color pattern evolution in a cosmopolitan radiation of birds, kingfishers (Aves: Alcedinidae). We demonstrate the utility of this approach and test hypotheses about the tempo and mode of color evolution in kingfishers. Our results highlight the importance of considering interpatch distances in understanding macroevolutionary trends in color diversity and demonstrate how historical biogeography models are a useful way to model plumage color pattern evolution. Furthermore, they show that distinct color mechanisms (pigments or structural colors) spread across the body in different ways and at different rates. Specifically, net rates are higher for structural colors than pigment-based colors. Together, our study suggests a role for both development and selection in driving extraordinary color pattern diversity in kingfishers. We anticipate this approach will be useful for modeling other complex phenotypes besides color, such as parasite evolution across the body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad M Eliason
- Integrative Research Center, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Michael J Andersen
- Department of Biology and Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Shannon J Hackett
- Integrative Research Center, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, USA
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22
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Galván I, Murtada K, Jorge A, Ríos Á, Zougagh M. Unique evolution of vitamin A as an external pigment in tropical starlings. J Exp Biol 2019; 222:jeb.205229. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.205229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Pigments are largely responsible for the appearance of organisms. Most biological pigments derive from the metabolism of shikimic acid (melanins), mevalonic acid (carotenoids) or levulinic acid (porphyrins), which thus generate the observed diversity of external phenotypes. Starlings are generally dark birds despite iridescence in feathers, but 10 % of species have evolved plumage pigmentation comprising bright colors that are known to be produced only by carotenoids. However, using micro-Raman spectroscopy, we have discovered that the bright yellow plumage coloration of one of these species, the Afrotropical golden-breasted starling Cosmopsarus regius, is not produced by carotenoids, but by vitamin A (all-trans-retinol). This is the first organism reported to deposit significant amounts of vitamin A in its integument and use it as a body pigment. Phylogenetic reconstructions reveal that the retinol-based pigmentation of the golden-breasted starling has independently appeared in the starling family from dark ancestors. Our study thus unveils a unique evolution of a new class of external pigments comprised by retinoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismael Galván
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Doñana Biological Station, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Khaled Murtada
- Regional Institute for Applied Scientific Research (IRICA), University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Technology, Faculty of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Alberto Jorge
- Laboratory of Non-Invasive Analytical Techniques, National Museum of Natural Sciences, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángel Ríos
- Regional Institute for Applied Scientific Research (IRICA), University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Technology, Faculty of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Mohammed Zougagh
- Regional Institute for Applied Scientific Research (IRICA), University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, Spain
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23
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Gao G, Xu M, Bai C, Yang Y, Li G, Xu J, Wei Z, Min J, Su G, Zhou X, Guo J, Hao Y, Zhang G, Yang X, Xu X, Widelitz RB, Chuong CM, Zhang C, Yin J, Zuo Y. Comparative genomics and transcriptomics of Chrysolophus provide insights into the evolution of complex plumage coloration. Gigascience 2018; 7:5091803. [PMID: 30192940 PMCID: PMC6204425 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giy113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background As one of the most recognizable characteristics in birds, plumage color has a high impact on understanding the evolution and mechanisms of coloration. Feather and skin are ideal tissues to explore the genomics and complexity of color patterns in vertebrates. Two species of the genus Chrysolophus, golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) and Lady Amherst's pheasant (Chrysolophus amherstiae), exhibit brilliant colors in their plumage, but with extreme phenotypic differences, making these two species great models to investigate plumage coloration mechanisms in birds. Results We sequenced and assembled a genome of golden pheasant with high coverage and annotated 15,552 protein-coding genes. The genome of Lady Amherst's pheasant is sequenced with low coverage. Based on the feather pigment identification, a series of genomic and transcriptomic comparisons were conducted to investigate the complex features of plumage coloration. By identifying the lineage-specific sequence variations in Chrysolophus and golden pheasant against different backgrounds, we found that four melanogenesis biosynthesis genes and some lipid-related genes might be candidate genomic factors for the evolution of melanin and carotenoid pigmentation, respectively. In addition, a study among 47 birds showed some candidate genes related to carotenoid coloration in a broad range of birds. The transcriptome data further reveal important regulators of the two colorations, particularly one splicing transcript of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor gene for pheomelanin synthesis. Conclusions Analysis of the golden pheasant and its sister pheasant genomes, as well as comparison with other avian genomes, are helpful to reveal the underlying regulation of their plumage coloration. The present study provides important genomic information and insights for further studies of avian plumage evolution and diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangqi Gao
- The State key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia University, No.235, University West Road, Saihan District,Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010021, China.,College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010070, China
| | - Meng Xu
- BGI Genomics, Co., Ltd. Buiding No.7, BGI Park, No.21 Hongan 3rd Street, Yantian District, Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | - Chunling Bai
- The State key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia University, No.235, University West Road, Saihan District,Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010021, China.,College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010070, China
| | - Yulan Yang
- BGI Genomics, Co., Ltd. Buiding No.7, BGI Park, No.21 Hongan 3rd Street, Yantian District, Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | - Guangpeng Li
- The State key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia University, No.235, University West Road, Saihan District,Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010021, China
| | - Junyang Xu
- BGI Genomics, Co., Ltd. Buiding No.7, BGI Park, No.21 Hongan 3rd Street, Yantian District, Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | - Zhuying Wei
- The State key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia University, No.235, University West Road, Saihan District,Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010021, China.,College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010070, China
| | - Jiumeng Min
- BGI Genomics, Co., Ltd. Buiding No.7, BGI Park, No.21 Hongan 3rd Street, Yantian District, Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | - Guanghua Su
- The State key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia University, No.235, University West Road, Saihan District,Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010021, China.,College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010070, China
| | - Xianqiang Zhou
- BGI Genomics, Co., Ltd. Buiding No.7, BGI Park, No.21 Hongan 3rd Street, Yantian District, Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | - Jun Guo
- College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, No.306, Zhaowuda Road, Saihan District, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010018
| | - Yu Hao
- College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, No.306, Zhaowuda Road, Saihan District, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010018
| | - Guiping Zhang
- BGI Genomics, Co., Ltd. Buiding No.7, BGI Park, No.21 Hongan 3rd Street, Yantian District, Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | - Xukui Yang
- BGI Genomics, Co., Ltd. Buiding No.7, BGI Park, No.21 Hongan 3rd Street, Yantian District, Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | - Xiaomin Xu
- BGI Genomics, Co., Ltd. Buiding No.7, BGI Park, No.21 Hongan 3rd Street, Yantian District, Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | - Randall B Widelitz
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, Universit of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, HMR315B, Los Angeles, CA90033, USA
| | - Cheng-Ming Chuong
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, Universit of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, HMR315B, Los Angeles, CA90033, USA
| | - Chi Zhang
- BGI Genomics, Co., Ltd. Buiding No.7, BGI Park, No.21 Hongan 3rd Street, Yantian District, Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | - Jun Yin
- College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, No.306, Zhaowuda Road, Saihan District, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010018
| | - Yongchun Zuo
- The State key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, Inner Mongolia University, No.235, University West Road, Saihan District,Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010021, China.,College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010070, China
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24
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Barnsley JE, Tay EJ, Gordon KC, Thomas DB. Frequency dispersion reveals chromophore diversity and colour-tuning mechanism in parrot feathers. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2018; 5:172010. [PMID: 30109049 PMCID: PMC6083696 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.172010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Variation in animal coloration is often viewed as the result of chemically distinct pigments conferring different hues. The role of molecular environment on hue tends to be overlooked as analyses are mostly performed on free pigments extracted from the integument. Here we analysed psittacofulvin pigments within parrot feathers to explore whether the in situ organization of pigments may have an effect on hue. Resonance Raman spectra from a red region of a yellow-naped amazon Amazona auropalliata tail feather show frequency dispersion, a phenomenon that is related to the presence of a range of molecular conformations (and multiple chromophores) in the pigment, whereas spectra from a yellow region on the same feather do not show the same evidence for multiple chromophores. Our findings are consistent with non-isomeric psittacofulvin pigments behaving as a single chromophore in yellow feather barbs, which implies that psittacofulvins are dispersed into a structurally disordered mixture in yellow feathers compared with red feathers. Frequency dispersion in red barbs may instead indicate that pigments are structurally organized through molecule-molecule interactions. Major differences in the hues of parrot feathers are thus associated with differences in the organization of pigments within feathers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan E. Barnsley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- The Dodd-Walls Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Elliot J. Tay
- Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- The Dodd-Walls Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Keith C. Gordon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- The Dodd-Walls Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Daniel B. Thomas
- Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
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25
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Historical Contingency and Developmental Constraints in Avian Coloration. Trends Ecol Evol 2018; 33:574-576. [PMID: 29807840 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2018.05.003] [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: 04/07/2018] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The remarkable diversity of color in nature remains largely unexplained. Recent studies on birds show how historical reconstructions, the identification of genes affecting color differences, and an increased understanding of the underlying developmental mechanisms are helping to explain why species are the color they are.
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26
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Shawkey MD, D'Alba L. Interactions between colour-producing mechanisms and their effects on the integumentary colour palette. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 372:rstb.2016.0536. [PMID: 28533449 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal integumentary coloration plays a crucial role in visual communication and camouflage, and varies extensively among and within species and populations. To understand the pressures underlying such diversity, it is essential to elucidate the mechanisms by which animals have created novel integumentary coloration. Colours can be produced by selective absorption of light by skin pigments, through light scattering by structured or unstructured tissues, or by a combination of pigments and nanostructures. In this review, we highlight our current understanding of the interactions between pigments and structural integumentary tissues and molecules. We analyse the available evidence suggesting that these combined mechanisms are capable of creating colours and optical properties unachievable by either mechanism alone, thereby effectively expanding the animal colour palette. Moreover, structural and pigmentary colour mechanisms frequently interact in unexpected and overlooked ways, suggesting that classification of colours as being of any particular type may be difficult. Finally, we discuss how these mixtures are useful for investigating the largely unknown genetic, developmental and physical processes generating phenotypic diversity.This article is part of the themed issue 'Animal coloration: production, perception, function and application'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Shawkey
- Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, Department of Biology, University of Ghent, Ledeganckstraat 35, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Liliana D'Alba
- Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, Department of Biology, University of Ghent, Ledeganckstraat 35, Ghent 9000, Belgium
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27
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Twyman H, Andersson S, Mundy NI. Evolution of CYP2J19, a gene involved in colour vision and red coloration in birds: positive selection in the face of conservation and pleiotropy. BMC Evol Biol 2018; 18:22. [PMID: 29439676 PMCID: PMC5812113 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-018-1136-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exaggerated signals, such as brilliant colours, are usually assumed to evolve through antagonistic coevolution between senders and receivers, but the underlying genetic mechanisms are rarely known. Here we explore a recently identified "redness gene", CYP2J19, that is highly interesting in this context since it encodes a carotenoid-modifying enzyme (a C4 ketolase involved in both colour signalling and colour discrimination in the red (long wavelength) spectral region.) RESULTS: A single full-length CYP2J19 was retrieved from 43 species out of 70 avian genomes examined, representing all major avian clades. In addition, CYP2J19 sequences from 13 species of weaverbirds (Ploceidae), seven of which have red C4-ketocarotenoid coloration were analysed. Despite the conserved retinal function and pleiotropy of CYP2J19, analyses indicate that the gene has been positively selected throughout the radiation of birds, including sites within functional domains described in related CYP (cytochrome P450) loci. Analyses of eight further CYP loci across 25 species show that positive selection is common in this gene family in birds. There was no evidence for a change in selection pressure on CYP2J19 following co-option for red coloration in the weaverbirds. CONCLUSIONS The results presented here are consistent with an ancestral conserved function of CYP2J19 in the pigmentation of red retinal oil droplets used for colour vision, and its subsequent co-option for red integumentary coloration. The cause of positive selection on CYP2J19 is unclear, but may be partly related to compensatory mutations related to selection at the adjacent gene CYP2J40.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanlu Twyman
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ UK
| | - Staffan Andersson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Nicholas I. Mundy
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ UK
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28
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29
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Independent pseudogenization of CYP2J19 in penguins, owls and kiwis implicates gene in red carotenoid synthesis. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2018; 118:47-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2017.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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30
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Twyman H, Valenzuela N, Literman R, Andersson S, Mundy NI. Seeing red to being red: conserved genetic mechanism for red cone oil droplets and co-option for red coloration in birds and turtles. Proc Biol Sci 2017; 283:rspb.2016.1208. [PMID: 27488652 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.1208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian ketocarotenoid pigments occur in both the red retinal oil droplets that contribute to colour vision and bright red coloration used in signalling. Turtles are the only other tetrapods with red retinal oil droplets, and some also display red carotenoid-based coloration. Recently, the CYP2J19 gene was strongly implicated in ketocarotenoid synthesis in birds. Here, we investigate CYP2J19 evolution in relation to colour vision and red coloration in reptiles using genomic and expression data. We show that turtles, but not crocodiles or lepidosaurs, possess a CYP2J19 orthologue, which arose via gene duplication before turtles and archosaurs split, and which is strongly and specifically expressed in the ketocarotenoid-containing retina and red integument. We infer that CYP2J19 initially functioned in colour vision in archelosaurs and conclude that red ketocarotenoid-based coloration evolved independently in birds and turtles via gene regulatory changes of CYP2J19 Our results suggest that red oil droplets contributed to colour vision in dinosaurs and pterosaurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanlu Twyman
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Nicole Valenzuela
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, 251 Bessey Hall, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Robert Literman
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, 251 Bessey Hall, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Staffan Andersson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg 40530, Sweden
| | - Nicholas I Mundy
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
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31
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Bleiweiss R. Concerted Shifts in Absorption Maxima of Yellow and Red Plumage Carotenoids Support Specialized Tuning of Chromatic Signals to Different Visual Systems in Near-Passerine Birds. Evol Biol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11692-017-9437-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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32
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Wilkins LGE, Marques da Cunha L, Menin L, Ortiz D, Vocat-Mottier V, Hobil M, Nusbaumer D, Wedekind C. Maternal allocation of carotenoids increases tolerance to bacterial infection in brown trout. Oecologia 2017; 185:351-363. [PMID: 28894954 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-017-3952-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Life-history theory predicts that iteroparous females allocate their resources differently among different breeding seasons depending on their residual reproductive value. In iteroparous salmonids there is typically much variation in egg size, egg number, and in the compounds that females allocate to their clutch. These compounds include various carotenoids whose functions are not sufficiently understood yet. We sampled 37 female and 35 male brown trout from natural streams, collected their gametes for in vitro fertilizations, experimentally produced 185 families in 7 full-factorial breeding blocks, raised the developing embryos singly (n = 2960), and either sham-treated or infected them with Pseudomonas fluorescens. We used female redness (as a measure of carotenoids stored in the skin) and their allocation of carotenoids to clutches to infer maternal strategies. Astaxanthin contents largely determined egg colour. Neither egg weight nor female size was correlated with the content of this carotenoid. However, astaxanthin content was positively correlated with larval growth and with tolerance against P. fluorescens. There was a negative correlation between female skin redness and the carotenoid content of their eggs. Although higher astaxanthin contents in the eggs were associated with an improvement of early fitness-related traits, some females appeared not to maximally support their current offspring as revealed by the negative correlation between female red skin colouration and egg carotenoid content. This correlation was not explained by female size and supports the prediction of a maternal trade-off between current and future reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laetitia G E Wilkins
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management, 130 Mulford Hall #3114, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Lucas Marques da Cunha
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laure Menin
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering ISIC, Batochime, EPFL, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Ortiz
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering ISIC, Batochime, EPFL, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Véronique Vocat-Mottier
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matay Hobil
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - David Nusbaumer
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Claus Wedekind
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Gao GQ, Song LS, Tong B, Li GP. Expression levels of GSTA2 and APOD genes might be associated with carotenoid coloration in golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) plumage. DONG WU XUE YAN JIU = ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2017; 37:144-50. [PMID: 27265652 DOI: 10.13918/j.issn.2095-8137.2016.3.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Carotenoids, which generate yellow, orange, and red colors, are crucial pigments in avian plumage. Investigations into genes associated with carotenoidbased coloration in avian species are important; however, such research is difficult because carotenoids cannot be synthetized in vertebrates as they are only derived from dietary sources. Here, the golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) was used as a model in analysis of candidate gene expression profiles implicated in carotenoid binding and deposition. Using mass and Raman spectrometry to confirm the presence of carotenoids in golden pheasant feathers, we found C40H54O and C40H56O2 in feathers with yellow to red colors, and in the rachis of iridescent feathers. The global gene expression profiles in golden pheasant skins were analyzed by RNA-seq and all six carotenoid binding candidate genes sequenced were studied by realtime PCR. StAR4, GSTA2, Scarb1, and APOD in feather follicles showed different expressions in red breast and orange nape feathers compared with that of iridescent mantle feathers. Further comparison of golden pheasant yellow rump and Lady Amherst's pheasant (Chrysolophus amherstiae) white nape feathers suggested that GSTA2 and APOD played a potential role in carotenoid-based coloration in golden pheasant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Qi Gao
- Research Center for Laboratory of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Li-Shuang Song
- Research Center for Laboratory of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Bin Tong
- Research Center for Laboratory of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Guang-Peng Li
- Research Center for Laboratory of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China.
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34
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The Evolution and Genetics of Carotenoid Processing in Animals. Trends Genet 2017; 33:171-182. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2017.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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35
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Bitton PP, Janisse K, Doucet SM. Assessing Sexual Dicromatism: The Importance of Proper Parameterization in Tetrachromatic Visual Models. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169810. [PMID: 28076391 PMCID: PMC5226829 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Perceptual models of animal vision have greatly contributed to our understanding of animal-animal and plant-animal communication. The receptor-noise model of color contrasts has been central to this research as it quantifies the difference between two colors for any visual system of interest. However, if the properties of the visual system are unknown, assumptions regarding parameter values must be made, generally with unknown consequences. In this study, we conduct a sensitivity analysis of the receptor-noise model using avian visual system parameters to systematically investigate the influence of variation in light environment, photoreceptor sensitivities, photoreceptor densities, and light transmission properties of the ocular media and the oil droplets. We calculated the chromatic contrast of 15 plumage patches to quantify a dichromatism score for 70 species of Galliformes, a group of birds that display a wide range of sexual dimorphism. We found that the photoreceptor densities and the wavelength of maximum sensitivity of the short-wavelength-sensitive photoreceptor 1 (SWS1) can change dichromatism scores by 50% to 100%. In contrast, the light environment, transmission properties of the oil droplets, transmission properties of the ocular media, and the peak sensitivities of the cone photoreceptors had a smaller impact on the scores. By investigating the effect of varying two or more parameters simultaneously, we further demonstrate that improper parameterization could lead to differences between calculated and actual contrasts of more than 650%. Our findings demonstrate that improper parameterization of tetrachromatic visual models can have very large effects on measures of dichromatism scores, potentially leading to erroneous inferences. We urge more complete characterization of avian retinal properties and recommend that researchers either determine whether their species of interest possess an ultraviolet or near-ultraviolet sensitive SWS1 photoreceptor, or present models for both.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Paul Bitton
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Kevyn Janisse
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stéphanie M. Doucet
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
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36
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Morrison ES, Badyaev AV. Structuring evolution: biochemical networks and metabolic diversification in birds. BMC Evol Biol 2016; 16:168. [PMID: 27561312 PMCID: PMC5000421 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-016-0731-z] [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: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recurrence and predictability of evolution are thought to reflect the correspondence between genomic and phenotypic dimensions of organisms, and the connectivity in deterministic networks within these dimensions. Direct examination of the correspondence between opportunities for diversification imbedded in such networks and realized diversity is illuminating, but is empirically challenging because both the deterministic networks and phenotypic diversity are modified in the course of evolution. Here we overcome this problem by directly comparing the structure of a “global” carotenoid network – comprising of all known enzymatic reactions among naturally occurring carotenoids – with the patterns of evolutionary diversification in carotenoid-producing metabolic networks utilized by birds. Results We found that phenotypic diversification in carotenoid networks across 250 species was closely associated with enzymatic connectivity of the underlying biochemical network – compounds with greater connectivity occurred the most frequently across species and were the hotspots of metabolic pathway diversification. In contrast, we found no evidence for diversification along the metabolic pathways, corroborating findings that the utilization of the global carotenoid network was not strongly influenced by history in avian evolution. Conclusions The finding that the diversification in species-specific carotenoid networks is qualitatively predictable from the connectivity of the underlying enzymatic network points to significant structural determinism in phenotypic evolution. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-016-0731-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin S Morrison
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
| | - Alexander V Badyaev
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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37
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Mundy N, Stapley J, Bennison C, Tucker R, Twyman H, Kim KW, Burke T, Birkhead T, Andersson S, Slate J. Red Carotenoid Coloration in the Zebra Finch Is Controlled by a Cytochrome P450 Gene Cluster. Curr Biol 2016; 26:1435-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.04.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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38
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Eliason CM, Shawkey MD, Clarke JA. Evolutionary shifts in the melanin-based color system of birds. Evolution 2016; 70:445-55. [PMID: 26767728 DOI: 10.1111/evo.12855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Melanin pigments contained in organelles (melanosomes) impart earthy colors to feathers. Such melanin-based colors are distributed across birds and thought to be the ancestral color-producing mechanism in birds. However, we have had limited data on melanin-based color and melanosome diversity in Palaeognathae, which includes the flighted tinamous and large-bodied, flightless ratites and is the sister taxon to all other extant birds. Here, we use scanning electron microscopy and spectrophotometry to assess melanosome morphology and quantify reflected color for 19 species within this clade. We find that brown colors in ratites are uniquely associated with elongated melanosomes nearly identical in shape to those associated with black colors. Melanosome and color diversity in large-bodied ratites is limited relative to other birds (including flightless penguins) and smaller bodied basal maniraptoran dinosaur outgroups of Aves, whereas tinamous show a wider range of melanosome forms similar to neognaths. The repeated occurrence of novel melanosome forms in the nonmonophyletic ratites suggests that melanin-based color tracks changes in body size, physiology, or other life history traits associated with flight loss, but not feather morphology. We further anticipate these findings will be useful for future color reconstructions in extinct species, as variation in melanosome shape may potentially be linked to a more nuanced palette of melanin-based colors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad M Eliason
- Department of Geological Sciences and Integrated Bioscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712.
| | - Matthew D Shawkey
- Department of Biology and Integrated Bioscience, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, 44325.,Current address: University of Ghent, Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Julia A Clarke
- Department of Geological Sciences and Integrated Bioscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78712
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Delhey K. The colour of an avifauna: A quantitative analysis of the colour of Australian birds. Sci Rep 2015; 5:18514. [PMID: 26679370 PMCID: PMC4683462 DOI: 10.1038/srep18514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal coloration is a poorly-understood aspect of phenotypic variability. Here I expand initial studies of the colour gamut of birds by providing the first quantitative description of the colour variation of an entire avifauna: Australian landbirds (555 species). The colour of Australian birds occupies a small fraction (19%) of the entire possible colour space and colour variation is extremely uneven. Most colours are unsaturated, concentrated in the centre of colour space and based on the deposition of melanins. Other mechanisms of colour production are less common but account for larger portions of colour space and for most saturated colours. Male colours occupy 45–25% more colour space than female colours, indicating that sexual dichromatism translates into a broader range of male colours. Male-exclusive colours are often saturated, at the edge of chromatic space, and have most likely evolved for signalling. While most clades of birds occupy expected or lower-than-expected colour volumes, parrots and cockatoos (Order Psittaciformes) occupy a much larger volume than expected. This uneven distribution of colour variation across mechanisms of colour production, sexes and clades is probably shared by avifaunas in other parts of the world, but this remains to be tested with comparable data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaspar Delhey
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Radolfzell, 78315, Germany
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Bleiweiss R. Extrinsic Versus Intrinsic Control of Avian Communication Based on Colorful Plumage Porphyrins. Evol Biol 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s11692-015-9343-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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41
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Li X, Ning X, Dou J, Yu Q, Wang S, Zhang L, Wang S, Hu X, Bao Z. An SCD gene from the Mollusca and its upregulation in carotenoid-enriched scallops. Gene 2015; 564:101-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.02.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2014] [Revised: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Vinther
- Schools of Earth Sciences and Biological Sciences; University of Bristol; Bristol United Kingdom
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LaFountain AM, Prum RO, Frank HA. Diversity, physiology, and evolution of avian plumage carotenoids and the role of carotenoid-protein interactions in plumage color appearance. Arch Biochem Biophys 2015; 572:201-212. [PMID: 25637658 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2015.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Revised: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The diversity of vibrant plumage colors in birds has evolved as a direct result of social and environmental pressures. To fully understand these underlying pressures it is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms for the creation of novel plumage colors which include the metabolic transformations of dietary carotenoids and spectral tuning of the molecules within the feather protein environment. Recent advances in this field have greatly expanded the number and breadth of avian species for which plumage pigmentation has been characterized, making it possible to reconstruct the phylogenetic history of carotenoid usage in plumage. Resonance Raman and classical Raman spectroscopic techniques have been employed with great effect in the study of carotenoids in situ. The application of these methods have two benefits: to identify carotenoids in feathers that are unavailable for destructive sampling; and to study the spectral tuning resulting from the interaction between the carotenoids and the proteins to which they are bound. This review presents a summary of recent advances in the understanding of the molecular factors controlling the coloration of avian carotenoid plumage obtained through the application of both bioanalytical and spectroscopic methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy M LaFountain
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
| | - Richard O Prum
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, 21 Sachem Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Harry A Frank
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 55 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
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