1
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Fernández-Eslava B, Alonso D, Alonso-Alvarez C. An age-related decline in the expression of a red carotenoid-based ornament in wild birds. Evolution 2021; 75:3142-3153. [PMID: 34643274 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The past decades have provided valuable information on how animals age in the wild. However, examples of male reproductive senescence are scarce. In particular, few studies have described an age-related decline in the expression of conspicuous traits influencing mating success. Red ornaments could be good candidates to detect this decline because their expression may depend on the availability of pigments (carotenoids) related to oxidative stress, the latter frequently linked to senescence. Furthermore, it has been argued that efficient mitochondrial metabolism is key to express red carotenoid-based ornaments, and mitochondrial dysfunction is usually associated with senescence. We studied the age-linked expression of a red carotenoid-based trait: the yellow-to-red plumage coloration of male common crossbills (Loxia curvirostra). This coloration has recently been experimentally related to mitochondrial function. Here, we analyzed longitudinal plumage coloration data obtained throughout 28 years in free-living birds. We detected an initial increase in redness during the first 2 years of life and a subsequent decline. The relationship between color and age was unrelated to within-individual body mass variability. As far as we know, this is the first demonstration of an age-related ketocarotenoid-based color decrease detected by simultaneously testing within- and between-individual variability in wild animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Fernández-Eslava
- Department of Environmental Biology, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - D Alonso
- Department of Ornithology, Aranzadi Sciences Society, Donostia-S. Sebastián, Spain
| | - C Alonso-Alvarez
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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2
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Fay R, Ravussin PA, Arrigo D, von Rönn JAC, Schaub M. Age-specific reproduction in female pied flycatchers: evidence for asynchronous aging. Oecologia 2021; 196:723-734. [PMID: 34173894 PMCID: PMC8292251 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-021-04963-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Age-related variation in reproductive performance is central for the understanding of population dynamics and evolutionary processes. Our understanding of age trajectories in vital rates has long been limited by the lack of distinction between patterns occurring within- and among-individuals, and by the lack of comparative studies of age trajectories among traits. Thus, it is poorly understood how sets of demographic traits change within individuals according to their age. Based on 40 years of monitoring, we investigated age-related variation in five reproductive traits in female pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) including laying date, clutch size, brood size, nest success (probability that a nest produces at least one chick) and egg success of successful nests (proportion of eggs resulting in a chick). We disentangled within- from among-individual processes and assessed the relative contribution of within-individual age-specific changes and selective appearance and disappearance. Finally, we compared the aging pattern among these five reproductive traits. We found strong evidence for age-specific performance including both early-life improvement and late-life decline in all reproductive traits but the egg success. Furthermore, the aging patterns varied substantially among reproductive traits both for the age of peak performance and for the rates of early-life improvement and late-life decline. The results show that age trajectories observed at the population level (cross-sectional analysis) may substantially differ from those occurring at the individual level and illustrate the complexity of variation in aging patterns across traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rémi Fay
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, Seerose 1, CH-6204, Sempach, Switzerland.
| | | | | | - Jan A C von Rönn
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, Seerose 1, CH-6204, Sempach, Switzerland
| | - Michael Schaub
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, Seerose 1, CH-6204, Sempach, Switzerland
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3
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Harris S, Kervinen M, Lebigre C, Pike TW, Soulsbury CD. Full spectra coloration and condition-dependent signaling in a skin-based carotenoid sexual ornament. Behav Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/araa031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Carotenoid-based traits commonly act as condition-dependent signals of quality to both males and females. Such colors are typically quantified using summary metrics (e.g., redness) derived by partitioning measured reflectance spectra into blocks. However, perceived coloration is a product of the whole spectrum. Recently, new methods have quantified a range of environmental factors and their impact on reflection data at narrow wavebands across the whole spectrum. Using this approach, we modeled the reflectance of red integumentary eye combs displayed by male black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) as a function of ornament size and variables related to male quality. We investigated the strength and direction of effect sizes of variables at each waveband. The strongest effect on the spectra came from eye comb size, with a negative effect in the red part of the spectrum and a positive effect in ultraviolet reflectance. Plasma carotenoid concentration and body mass were also related to reflectance variance in differing directions across the entire spectra. Comparisons of yearlings and adults showed that the effects were similar but stronger on adult reflectance spectra. These findings suggest that reflectance in different parts of the spectrum is indicative of differing components of quality. This method also allows a more accurate understanding of how biologically relevant variables may interact to produce perceived coloration and multicomponent signals and where the strongest biological effects are found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Harris
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Green Lane, Lincoln, UK
| | - Matti Kervinen
- Finnish Wildlife Agency, Kiekkoti, Kuopio, Finland
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Christophe Lebigre
- IFREMER, Unité Sciences et Technologies Halieutiques, Centre Bretagne, Plouzané, France
| | - Thomas W Pike
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Green Lane, Lincoln, UK
| | - Carl D Soulsbury
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Joseph Banks Laboratories, Green Lane, Lincoln, UK
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4
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Laczi M, Hegyi G, Kötél D, Csizmadia T, Lőw P, Török J. Reflectance in relation to macro- and nanostructure in the crown feathers of the great tit (Parus major). Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blz016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miklós Laczi
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- The Barn Owl Foundation, Orosztony, Hungary
| | - Gergely Hegyi
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dóra Kötél
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Csizmadia
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Lőw
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - János Török
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Ecology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
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5
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Bonnaffé W, Martin M, Mugabo M, Meylan S, Le Galliard J. Ontogenetic trajectories of body coloration reveal its function as a multicomponent nonsenescent signal. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:12299-12307. [PMID: 30619546 PMCID: PMC6308879 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The understanding of developmental patterns of body coloration is challenging because of the multicomponent nature of color signals and the multiple selective pressures acting upon them, which further depend on the sex of the bearer and area of display. Pigmentary colors are thought to be strongly involved in sexual selection, while structural colors are thought to generally associate with conspecifics interactions and improve the discrimination of pigmentary colors. Yet, it remains unclear whether age dependency in each color component is consistent with their potential function. Here, we address lifelong ontogenetic variation in three color components (i.e. UV, pigmentary, and skin background colors) in a birth cohort of common lizards Zootoca vivipara across three ventral body regions (i.e. throat, chest, and belly). All three color components developed sexual dichromatism, with males displaying stronger pigmentary and UV colors but weaker skin background coloration than females. The development of color components led to a stronger sexual dichromatism on the concealed ventral region than on the throat. No consistent signs of late-life decay in color components were found except for a deceleration of UV reflectance increase with age on the throat of males. These results suggest that body color components in common lizards are primarily nonsenescent sexual signals, but that the balance between natural and sexual selection may be altered by the conspicuousness of the area of display. These results further support the view that skin coloration is a composite trait constituted of multiple color components conveying multiple signals depending on age, sex, and body location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willem Bonnaffé
- UPMC Univ Paris 06CNRSIRDINRAInstitut D’écologie et des Sciences de l'environnement (iEES)Sorbonne UniversitésParisFrance
- Département de BiologieEcole Normale SupérieurePSL Research UniversityParisFrance
| | - Mélissa Martin
- UPMC Univ Paris 06CNRSIRDINRAInstitut D’écologie et des Sciences de l'environnement (iEES)Sorbonne UniversitésParisFrance
| | - Marianne Mugabo
- UPMC Univ Paris 06CNRSIRDINRAInstitut D’écologie et des Sciences de l'environnement (iEES)Sorbonne UniversitésParisFrance
- School of BiologyFaculty of Biological SciencesUniversity of LeedsLeedsUK
| | - Sandrine Meylan
- UPMC Univ Paris 06CNRSIRDINRAInstitut D’écologie et des Sciences de l'environnement (iEES)Sorbonne UniversitésParisFrance
- Paris‐Sorbonne Univ Paris 04ESPE de l'académie de ParisSorbonne UniversitésParisFrance
| | - Jean‐François Le Galliard
- UPMC Univ Paris 06CNRSIRDINRAInstitut D’écologie et des Sciences de l'environnement (iEES)Sorbonne UniversitésParisFrance
- Centre de Recherche en Écologie Expérimentale et Prédictive (CEREEP‐Ecotron IleDeFrance)Ecole Normale SupérieureCNRSUMS 3194PSL Research UniversitySaint‐Pierre‐lès‐NemoursFrance
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6
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Giraudeau M, Bonzom JM, Ducatez S, Beaugelin-Seiller K, Deviche P, Lengagne T, Cavalie I, Camilleri V, Adam-Guillermin C, McGraw KJ. Carotenoid distribution in wild Japanese tree frogs (Hyla japonica) exposed to ionizing radiation in Fukushima. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7438. [PMID: 29743616 PMCID: PMC5943346 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25495-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear accident in the Fukushima prefecture released a large amount of artificial radionuclides that might have short- and long-term biological effects on wildlife. Ionizing radiation can be a harmful source of reactive oxygen species, and previous studies have already shown reduced fitness effects in exposed animals in Chernobyl. Due to their potential health benefits, carotenoid pigments might be used by animals to limit detrimental effects of ionizing radiation exposure. Here, we examined concentrations of carotenoids in blood (i.e. a snapshot of levels in circulation), liver (endogenous carotenoid reserves), and the vocal sac skin (sexual signal) in relation to the total radiation dose rates absorbed by individual (TDR from 0.2 to 34 µGy/h) Japanese tree frogs (Hyla japonica). We found high within-site variability of TDRs, but no significant effects of the TDR on tissue carotenoid levels, suggesting that carotenoid distribution in amphibians might be less sensitive to ionizing radiation exposure than in other organisms or that the potential deleterious effects of radiation exposure might be less significant or more difficult to detect in Fukushima than in Chernobyl due to, among other things, differences in the abundance and mixture of each radionuclide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Giraudeau
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287-4501, USA.
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK.
| | - Jean-Marc Bonzom
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LECO, Cadarache, 13115, Saint Paul Lez Durance, France.
| | - Simon Ducatez
- School of Biological Sciences A08, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Karine Beaugelin-Seiller
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LECO, Cadarache, 13115, Saint Paul Lez Durance, France
| | - Pierre Deviche
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287-4501, USA
| | - Thierry Lengagne
- Université de Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5023, Laboratoire d'Ecologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés, Bât. Darwin C, F-69622, Villeurbanne Cedex, France
| | - Isabelle Cavalie
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LECO, Cadarache, 13115, Saint Paul Lez Durance, France
| | - Virginie Camilleri
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LECO, Cadarache, 13115, Saint Paul Lez Durance, France
| | - Christelle Adam-Guillermin
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SRTE/LECO, Cadarache, 13115, Saint Paul Lez Durance, France
| | - Kevin J McGraw
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287-4501, USA
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7
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Losdat S, Blount JD, Marri V, Maronde L, Richner H, Helfenstein F. Effects of an early-life paraquat exposure on adult resistance to oxidative stress, plumage colour and sperm performance in a wild bird. J Anim Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Losdat
- Institute of Biology; University of Neuchâtel; Neuchâtel Switzerland
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution; University of Bern; Bern Switzerland
| | - Jonathan D. Blount
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation; College of Life & Environmental Sciences; University of Exeter; Penryn UK
| | - Viviana Marri
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution; University of Bern; Bern Switzerland
| | - Lea Maronde
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution; University of Bern; Bern Switzerland
| | - Heinz Richner
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution; University of Bern; Bern Switzerland
| | - Fabrice Helfenstein
- Institute of Biology; University of Neuchâtel; Neuchâtel Switzerland
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution; University of Bern; Bern Switzerland
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8
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Hamel S, Gaillard JM, Douhard M, Festa-Bianchet M, Pelletier F, Yoccoz NG. Quantifying individual heterogeneity and its influence on life-history trajectories: different methods for different questions and contexts. OIKOS 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.04725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Hamel
- Dept of Arctic and Marine Biology; Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT the Arctic Univ. of Norway; NO-9037 Tromsø Norway
| | - Jean-Michel Gaillard
- CNRS, UMR 5558 Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Univ. de Lyon; Villeurbanne France
| | - Mathieu Douhard
- Dépt de biologie and Centre d'études Nordiques; Univ. de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke; Québec Canada
| | - Marco Festa-Bianchet
- Dépt de biologie and Centre d'études Nordiques; Univ. de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke; Québec Canada
| | - Fanie Pelletier
- Dépt de biologie and Centre d'études Nordiques; Univ. de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke; Québec Canada
| | - Nigel G. Yoccoz
- Dept of Arctic and Marine Biology; Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT the Arctic Univ. of Norway; NO-9037 Tromsø Norway
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9
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While GM, Uller T. Female reproductive investment in response to male phenotype in wall lizards and its implications for introgression. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blx025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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10
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Lopez‐Idiaquez D, Vergara P, Fargallo JA, Martinez‐Padilla J. Old males reduce melanin-pigmented traits and increase reproductive outcome under worse environmental conditions in common kestrels. Ecol Evol 2016; 6:1224-35. [PMID: 26941948 PMCID: PMC4761766 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Secondary sexual traits displayed by males and females may have evolved as a signal of individual quality. However, both individual quality and investment on producing or maintaining enhanced sexual traits change as individuals age. At the same time, the costs associated to produce sexual traits might be attenuated or increased if environmental conditions are benign or worse respectively. Accordingly, environmental conditions are expected to shape the association between the expression of sexual traits and their reproductive outcome as individuals age. Nonetheless, little is known about the environmental influence on the co-variation between sexual traits and reproductive outcome throughout the life of individuals. We studied the age-dependency of the number and size of back spots, a melanin-based and sexual trait in adults of common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus). We analysed the age-dependence of reproductive traits and the environmental influence, defined as vole abundance, using a 10-year individual-based dataset. We broke down age-related changes of reproductive traits into within- and between-individual variation to assess their contribution to population-level patterns. Our results showed a within-individual decrease in the number, but not the size, of back spots in males. The size of back spots was positively correlated with food availability in males. Reproductive performance of males increased as they aged, in agreement with the life-history theory but depending of vole abundance. Remarkably, we found that having fewer back spots was positively associated with clutch size only for old individuals under low-food conditions. We suggest that environmental variation may shape the association between the expression of a sexual signal and reproductive outcome. We speculate that the reliability of sexual traits is higher when environmental conditions are poor only for old individuals. Within an evolutionary context, we suggest that the expression of sexual traits might be constrained by environmental conditions at later stages of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Lopez‐Idiaquez
- Department of Evolutionary EcologyMuseo Nacional de Ciencias NaturalesMadridJosé Gutiérrez Abascal2. 23006MadridSpain
- Department of EcologyInstituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos – IRECRonda de Toledos/n. 13005Ciudad RealSpain
| | - Pablo Vergara
- Department of Evolutionary EcologyMuseo Nacional de Ciencias NaturalesMadridJosé Gutiérrez Abascal2. 23006MadridSpain
| | - Juan Antonio Fargallo
- Department of Evolutionary EcologyMuseo Nacional de Ciencias NaturalesMadridJosé Gutiérrez Abascal2. 23006MadridSpain
| | - Jesús Martinez‐Padilla
- Department of Evolutionary EcologyMuseo Nacional de Ciencias NaturalesMadridJosé Gutiérrez Abascal2. 23006MadridSpain
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (OU, CSIC, PA)Oviedo University33600MieresSpain
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11
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Losdat S, Arcese P, Sampson L, Villar N, Reid JM. Additive genetic variance and effects of inbreeding, sex and age on heterophil to lymphocyte ratio in song sparrows. Funct Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Losdat
- School of Biological Sciences Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Aberdeen Tillydrone Avenue Zoology Building Aberdeen AB24 2TZ UK
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution University of Bern Baltzerstrasse 6 3012 Bern Switzerland
| | - Peter Arcese
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences University of British Columbia 2424 Main Mall Vancouver BC V6T 1Z4 Canada
| | - Laura Sampson
- Grupo de Investigación en Ecología Animal Universidad del Valle Calle 13 N.# 100‐00 Cali Colombia
| | - Nacho Villar
- School of Biological Sciences Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Aberdeen Tillydrone Avenue Zoology Building Aberdeen AB24 2TZ UK
| | - Jane M. Reid
- School of Biological Sciences Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Aberdeen Tillydrone Avenue Zoology Building Aberdeen AB24 2TZ UK
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12
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Hõrak P, Männiste M. Viability selection affects black but not yellow plumage colour in greenfinches. Oecologia 2015; 180:23-32. [PMID: 26386701 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-015-3451-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Much of the debate surrounding the selective forces responsible for the expression of conspicuous plumage colouration is centred on the question of precisely which individual qualities are signalled by carotenoid- and melanin-based pigments. To examine this and other related issues, we performed viability selection analyses in wild-caught captive male greenfinches (Carduelis chloris) in Estonia during winters between 2003 and 2014. Based on our measurements, birds with a darker black eumelanin-based colouration of tail feathers survived better than those whose tail feathers had a paler black colouration. The carotenoid-based yellow colouration of the same feathers was not associated with mortality in captivity and showed much less between-year variation in the field than the black colouration. Between year-variation in the black (but not yellow) colouration of feathers was parallel in wild-grown feathers (on birds in the wild) and laboratory-grown ones (on birds held temporarily in captivity). Taken together, these findings imply that eumelanotic colouration in greenfinches is currently under selection and suggest the presence of sufficient genetic variation for a rapid response to selection. In particular, tail feathers have become darker black since the emergence of avian trichomonosis, which is known to selectively kill paler individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peeter Hõrak
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, Tartu University, Vanemuise 46, 51014, Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Marju Männiste
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, Tartu University, Vanemuise 46, 51014, Tartu, Estonia
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13
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Acker P, Grégoire A, Rat M, Spottiswoode CN, van Dijk RE, Paquet M, Kaden JC, Pradel R, Hatchwell BJ, Covas R, Doutrelant C. Disruptive viability selection on a black plumage trait associated with dominance. J Evol Biol 2015; 28:2027-41. [PMID: 26249359 PMCID: PMC4949555 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Revised: 07/26/2015] [Accepted: 08/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Traits used in communication, such as colour signals, are expected to have positive consequences for reproductive success, but their associations with survival are little understood. Previous studies have mainly investigated linear relationships between signals and survival, but both hump-shaped and U-shaped relationships can also be predicted, depending on the main costs involved in trait expression. Furthermore, few studies have taken the plasticity of signals into account in viability selection analyses. The relationship between signal expression and survival is of particular interest in melanin-based traits, because their main costs are still debated. Here, we first determined the main factors explaining variability in a melanin-based trait linked to dominance: the bib size of a colonial bird, the sociable weaver Philetairus socius. We then used these analyses to obtain a measure representative of the individual mean expression of bib size. Finally, we used capture-recapture models to study how survival varied in relation to bib size. Variation in bib size was strongly affected by year and moderately affected by age, body condition and colony size. In addition, individuals bearing small and large bibs had higher survival than those with intermediate bibs, and this U-shaped relationship between survival and bib size appeared to be more pronounced in some years than others. These results constitute a rare example of disruptive viability selection, and point towards the potential importance of social costs incurred by the dominance signalling function of badges of status.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Acker
- CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, Montpellier Cedex 05, France.,Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (UMR 5174 EDB), Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier - CNRS - ENFA, Toulouse, France
| | - A Grégoire
- CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, Montpellier Cedex 05, France
| | - M Rat
- Percy FitzPatrick Institute, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - C N Spottiswoode
- Percy FitzPatrick Institute, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa.,Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - R E van Dijk
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - M Paquet
- CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, Montpellier Cedex 05, France.,Percy FitzPatrick Institute, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - J C Kaden
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.,The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, Edinburgh, UK
| | - R Pradel
- CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, Montpellier Cedex 05, France
| | - B J Hatchwell
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - R Covas
- Percy FitzPatrick Institute, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa.,CIBIO, University of Porto, Vairão, Portugal.,Biology Department, Science Faculty, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - C Doutrelant
- CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, Montpellier Cedex 05, France.,Percy FitzPatrick Institute, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
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14
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Hubbard JK, Jenkins BR, Safran RJ. Quantitative genetics of plumage color: lifetime effects of early nest environment on a colorful sexual signal. Ecol Evol 2015; 5:3436-49. [PMID: 26380676 PMCID: PMC4569038 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2015] [Revised: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic differences among individuals are often linked to differential survival and mating success. Quantifying the relative influence of genetic and environmental variation on phenotype allows evolutionary biologists to make predictions about the potential for a given trait to respond to selection and various aspects of environmental variation. In particular, the environment individuals experience during early development can have lasting effects on phenotype later in life. Here, we used a natural full-sib/half-sib design as well as within-individual longitudinal analyses to examine genetic and various environmental influences on plumage color. We find that variation in melanin-based plumage color - a trait known to influence mating success in adult North American barn swallows (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) - is influenced by both genetics and aspects of the developmental environment, including variation due to the maternal phenotype and the nest environment. Within individuals, nestling color is predictive of adult color. Accordingly, these early environmental influences are relevant to the sexually selected plumage color variation in adults. Early environmental conditions appear to have important lifelong implications for individual reproductive performance through sexual signal development in barn swallows. Our results indicate that feather color variation conveys information about developmental conditions and maternal care alleles to potential mates in North American barn swallows. Melanin-based colors are used for sexual signaling in many organisms, and our study suggests that these signals may be more sensitive to environmental variation than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna K Hubbard
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder Ramaley N122, UCB 334, Boulder, Colorado, 80309
| | - Brittany R Jenkins
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder Ramaley N122, UCB 334, Boulder, Colorado, 80309
| | - Rebecca J Safran
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder Ramaley N122, UCB 334, Boulder, Colorado, 80309
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15
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Garcia JE, Girard MB, Kasumovic M, Petersen P, Wilksch PA, Dyer AG. Differentiating Biological Colours with Few and Many Sensors: Spectral Reconstruction with RGB and Hyperspectral Cameras. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125817. [PMID: 25965264 PMCID: PMC4428825 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability to discriminate between two similar or progressively dissimilar colours is important for many animals as it allows for accurately interpreting visual signals produced by key target stimuli or distractor information. Spectrophotometry objectively measures the spectral characteristics of these signals, but is often limited to point samples that could underestimate spectral variability within a single sample. Algorithms for RGB images and digital imaging devices with many more than three channels, hyperspectral cameras, have been recently developed to produce image spectrophotometers to recover reflectance spectra at individual pixel locations. We compare a linearised RGB and a hyperspectral camera in terms of their individual capacities to discriminate between colour targets of varying perceptual similarity for a human observer. MAIN FINDINGS (1) The colour discrimination power of the RGB device is dependent on colour similarity between the samples whilst the hyperspectral device enables the reconstruction of a unique spectrum for each sampled pixel location independently from their chromatic appearance. (2) Uncertainty associated with spectral reconstruction from RGB responses results from the joint effect of metamerism and spectral variability within a single sample. CONCLUSION (1) RGB devices give a valuable insight into the limitations of colour discrimination with a low number of photoreceptors, as the principles involved in the interpretation of photoreceptor signals in trichromatic animals also apply to RGB camera responses. (2) The hyperspectral camera architecture provides means to explore other important aspects of colour vision like the perception of certain types of camouflage and colour constancy where multiple, narrow-band sensors increase resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jair E. Garcia
- School of Media and Communication, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Madeline B. Girard
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Michael Kasumovic
- Ecology & Evolution Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Phred Petersen
- School of Media and Communication, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Philip A. Wilksch
- School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adrian G. Dyer
- School of Media and Communication, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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16
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Vaugoyeau M, Decencière B, Perret S, Karadas F, Meylan S, Biard C. Is oxidative status influenced by dietary carotenoid and physical activity after moult in the great tit (Parus major)? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 218:2106-15. [PMID: 25964421 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.111039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
In the context of sexual and natural selection, an allocation trade-off for carotenoid pigments may exist because of their obligate dietary origin and their role both in the antioxidant and immune systems and in the production of coloured signals in various taxa, particularly birds. When birds have expended large amounts of carotenoids to feather growth such as after autumn moult, bird health and oxidative status might be more constrained. We tested this hypothesis in a bird species with carotenoid-based plumage colour, by manipulating dietary carotenoids and physical activity, which can decrease antioxidant capacity and increase reactive oxygen metabolite (ROM) concentration. Great tits were captured after moult and kept in aviaries, under three treatments: physical handicap and dietary supplementation with carotenoids, physical handicap and control diet, and no handicap and control diet. We measured plasma composition (antioxidant capacity, ROM concentration, and vitamin A, vitamin E and total carotenoid concentrations), immune system activation (blood sedimentation) and stress response (heterophil/lymphocyte ratio) and predicted that handicap treatment should influence these negatively and carotenoid supplementation positively. Coloration of yellow feathers was also measured. Carotenoid supplementation increased total plasma carotenoid concentration, decreased feather carotenoid chroma and marginally increased ROM concentration. Handicap increased blood sedimentation only in males but had no clear influence on oxidative stress, which contradicted previous studies. Further studies are needed to investigate how physical activity and carotenoid availability might interact and influence oxidative stress outside the moult period, and their combined potential influence on attractiveness and reproductive investment later during the breeding season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Vaugoyeau
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UPEC, Paris 7, CNRS, INRA, IRD, Institut d'Écologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris, 7 Quai St Bernard, Paris F-75005, France
| | - Beatriz Decencière
- CNRS ENS, UMS 3194, CEREEP - Ecotron IleDeFrance, Ecole Normale Supérieure, St-Pierre-lès-Nemours 77140, France
| | - Samuel Perret
- CNRS ENS, UMS 3194, CEREEP - Ecotron IleDeFrance, Ecole Normale Supérieure, St-Pierre-lès-Nemours 77140, France
| | - Filiz Karadas
- Department of Animal Science, University of Yüzüncü Yil, 65080 Van, Turkey
| | - Sandrine Meylan
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UPEC, Paris 7, CNRS, INRA, IRD, Institut d'Écologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris, 7 Quai St Bernard, Paris F-75005, France ESPE de Paris, Université Sorbonne Paris IV, 10 rue Molitor, Paris 75016, France
| | - Clotilde Biard
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UPEC, Paris 7, CNRS, INRA, IRD, Institut d'Écologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris, 7 Quai St Bernard, Paris F-75005, France
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17
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Evans SR, Sheldon BC. Colour in a new light: a spectral perspective on the quantitative genetics of carotenoid colouration. Funct Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon R. Evans
- Edward Grey Institute Department of Zoology University of Oxford South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PS UK
- Department of Animal Ecology Evolutionary Biology Centre Uppsala University Norbyvägen 18 D 752 36 Uppsala Sweden
| | - Ben C. Sheldon
- Edward Grey Institute Department of Zoology University of Oxford South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PS UK
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18
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Grunst AS, Rotenberry JT, Grunst ML. Age-dependent relationships between multiple sexual pigments and condition in males and females. Behav Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/art124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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