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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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2
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Aguiar de Souza Penha V, Maia Chaves Bicalho Domingos F, Fecchio A, Bell JA, Weckstein JD, Ricklefs RE, Braga EM, de Abreu Moreira P, Soares L, Latta S, Tolesano-Pascoli G, Alquezar RD, Del-Claro K, Manica LT. Host life-history traits predict haemosporidian parasite prevalence in tanagers (Aves: Thraupidae). Parasitology 2022; 150:1-10. [PMID: 36226920 PMCID: PMC10090595 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022001469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Vector-borne parasites are important ecological drivers influencing life-history evolution in birds by increasing host mortality or susceptibility to new diseases. Therefore, understanding why vulnerability to infection varies within a host clade is a crucial task for conservation biology and for understanding macroecological life-history patterns. Here, we studied the relationship of avian life-history traits and climate on the prevalence of Plasmodium and Parahaemoproteus parasites. We sampled 3569 individual birds belonging to 53 species of the family Thraupidae. Individuals were captured from 2007 to 2018 at 92 locations. We created 2 phylogenetic generalized least-squares models with Plasmodium and Parahaemoproteus prevalence as our response variables, and with the following predictor variables: climate PC1, climate PC2, body size, mixed-species flock participation, incubation period, migration, nest height, foraging height, forest cover, and diet. We found that Parahaemoproteus and Plasmodium prevalence was higher in species inhabiting open habitats. Tanager species with longer incubation periods had higher Parahaemoproteus prevalence as well, and we hypothesize that these longer incubation periods overlap with maximum vector abundances, resulting in a higher probability of infection among adult hosts during their incubation period and among chicks. Lastly, we found that Plasmodium prevalence was higher in species without migratory behaviour, with mixed-species flock participation, and with an omnivorous or animal-derived diet. We discuss the consequences of higher infection prevalence in relation to life-history traits in tanagers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alan Fecchio
- Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica (CIEMEP), CONICET – Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Esquel, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Jeffrey A. Bell
- Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, USA
| | - Jason D. Weckstein
- Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert E. Ricklefs
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri–Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Erika Martins Braga
- Malaria Laboratory, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Letícia Soares
- Research Associate, National Aviary, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Steven Latta
- Conservation and Field Research, National Aviary, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Graziela Tolesano-Pascoli
- Zoology Department, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Renata Duarte Alquezar
- Animal Behavior Laboratory, Graduate Program in Ecology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | - Kleber Del-Claro
- Behavioral Ecology and Interactions Laboratory, Graduate Program in Ecology and Conservation of Natural Resources, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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3
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Romero-Diaz C, Silva PA, Soares MC, Cardoso GC, Trigo S. Oestradiol reduces female bill colour in a mutually ornamented bird. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20221677. [PMID: 36476006 PMCID: PMC9554724 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Carotenoid-based colour signals can be costly to produce and maintain, and trade-offs between signalling and other fitness traits are expected. In mutually ornamented species, trade-offs with reproduction may be stronger for females than males, because females often dedicate more resources to offspring production, which may lead to plastic investment in colour signals and plastic sexual dichromatism. Oestradiol is a candidate mediator of this trade-off because it regulates reproductive physiology and may also influence the expression of coloration. We tested this hypothesis by giving female common waxbills (Estrilda astrild) either oestradiol (17β-oestradiol) or empty implants during the early breeding season and measured spectral reflectance of carotenoid-based bill coloration weekly for two months. Using a model of avian vision, we found that bill colour in oestradiol-implanted females became less saturated, less red in hue and brighter, compared with control females and with unimplanted males. This resulted in a change in bill sexual dichromatism from imperceptible to perceptible. Results support the hypothesis that female reproductive physiology influences investment in coloration through changes in oestradiol and show a form of female-driven plastic sexual dichromatism. Greater sensitivity of female colour to physiological and/or environmental conditions helps explain why differences in sexual dichromatism among species differing in ecology often evolve owing to changes in female rather than male phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Romero-Diaz
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão 4485-661, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão 4485-661, Portugal
| | - Paulo A. Silva
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão 4485-661, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão 4485-661, Portugal
| | - Marta C. Soares
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão 4485-661, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão 4485-661, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo C. Cardoso
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão 4485-661, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão 4485-661, Portugal
| | - Sandra Trigo
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão 4485-661, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão 4485-661, Portugal
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4
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Costantini D, Blévin P, Bustnes JO, Esteve V, Gabrielsen GW, Herzke D, Humann-Guilleminot S, Moe B, Parenteau C, Récapet C, Bustamante P, Chastel O. Integument carotenoid-based colouration reflects contamination to perfluoroalkyl substances, but not mercury, in arctic black-legged kittiwakes. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.952765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities are introducing multiple chemical contaminants into ecosystems that act as stressors for wildlife. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and mercury (Hg) are two relevant contaminants that may cause detrimental effects on the fitness of many aquatic organisms. However, there is a lack of information on their impact on the expression of secondary sexual signals that animals use for mate choice. We have explored the correlations between integument carotenoid-based colourations, blood levels of carotenoids, and blood levels of seven PFAS and of total Hg (THg) in 50 adult male black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) from the Norwegian Arctic during the pre-laying period, while controlling for other colouration influencing variables such as testosterone and body condition. Kittiwakes with elevated blood concentrations of PFAS (PFOSlin, PFNA, PFDcA, PFUnA, or PFDoA) had less chromatic but brighter bills, and brighter gape and tongue; PFOSlin was the pollutant with the strongest association with bill colourations. Conversely, plasma testosterone was the only significant correlate of hue and chroma of both gape and tongue, and of hue of the bill. Kittiwakes with higher concentrations of any PFAS, but not of THg, tended to have significantly higher plasma concentrations of the carotenoids astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, and cryptoxanthin. Our work provides the first correlative evidence that PFAS exposure might interfere with the carotenoid metabolism and the expression of integument carotenoid-based colourations in a free-living bird species. This outcome may be a direct effect of PFAS exposure or be indirectly caused by components of diet that also correlate with elevated PFAS concentrations (e.g., proteins). It also suggests that there might be no additive effect of THg co-exposure with PFAS on the expression of colourations. These results call for further work on the possible interference of PFAS with the expression of colourations used in mate choice.
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5
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Lindsay WR, Mendonça R, Slight MW, Prager M, Andersson MX, Mundy NI, Andersson S. Seasonal but not sex-biased gene expression of the carotenoid ketolase, CYP2J19, in the sexually dichromatic southern red bishop ( Euplectes orix). ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022. [PMID: 35937912 DOI: 10.5061/dryad.ht76hdrjg] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Intense red colours in birds are often owing to ketocarotenoids (KCs). In many land birds, KCs are oxidized from dietary yellow precursors, presumably by the avian carotenoid ketolase CYP2J19, the regulation and constraints of which have important implications for condition-dependence and honest signalling of carotenoid colour displays. We investigated hepatic CYP2J19 gene expression in the seasonally and sexually dichromatic southern red bishop (Euplectes orix) in relation to season, sex, progression of the prenuptial moult, testis size, body condition, redness and circulating sex steroids. A coloration function of CYP2J19 is supported by a seasonal upregulation prior to and during the carotenoid-depositing stage of the male prenuptial moult. However, CYP2J19 expression was similarly high in females (which do not moult prenuptially), and remained high in males after moult, suggesting additional or alternative roles of hepatic CYP2J19 or its products, such as detoxification or antioxidant functions. In males, the CYP2J19 upregulation preceded and was unrelated to the rise in plasma testosterone, but was correlated with androstenedione, probably of adrenal origin and compatible with luteinizing hormone-induced and (in females) oestrogen-suppressed moult. Finally, contrary to ideas that carotenoid ketolation rate mediates honest signalling of male quality, CYP2J19 expression was not related to plumage redness or male body condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willow R Lindsay
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18, SE-413 -90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Rute Mendonça
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18, SE-413 -90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mathilda Waleij Slight
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18, SE-413 -90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maria Prager
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, University of Stockholm, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mats X Andersson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18, SE-413 -90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Nicholas I Mundy
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Staffan Andersson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18, SE-413 -90 Gothenburg, Sweden
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6
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Marton A, Vágási CI, Vincze O, Bókony V, Pap PL, Pătraș L, Pénzes J, Bărbos L, Fülöp A, Osváth G, Ducatez S, Giraudeau M. Oxidative physiology is weakly associated with pigmentation in birds. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9177. [PMID: 35979521 PMCID: PMC9366753 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanistic link between avian oxidative physiology and plumage coloration has attracted considerable attention in past decades. Hence, multiple proximal hypotheses were proposed to explain how oxidative state might covary with the production of melanin and carotenoid pigments. Some hypotheses underscore that these pigments (or their precursors, e.g., glutathione) have antioxidant capacities or function as molecules storing the toxic excess of intracellular compounds, while others highlight that these pigments can act as pro-oxidants under specific conditions. Most studies addressing these associations are at the intraspecific level, while phylogenetic comparative studies are still scarce, though needed to assess the generality of these associations. Here, we tested whether plumage and bare part coloration were related to oxidative physiology at an interspecific level by measuring five oxidative physiology markers (three nonenzymatic antioxidants and two markers of lipid peroxidative damage) in 1387 individuals of 104 European bird species sampled during the breeding season, and by scoring plumage eumelanin, pheomelanin, and carotenoid content for each sex and species. Only the plasma level of reactive oxygen metabolites was related to melanin coloration, being positively associated with eumelanin score and negatively with pheomelanin score. Thus, our results do not support the role of antioxidant glutathione in driving variation in melanin synthesis across species. Furthermore, the carotenoid scores of feathers and bare parts were unrelated to the measured oxidative physiology parameters, further suggesting that the marked differences in pigmentation across birds does not influence their oxidative state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attila Marton
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and EcologyBabeș‐Bolyai UniversityCluj‐NapocaRomania
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human BiologyUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary
| | - Csongor I. Vágási
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and EcologyBabeș‐Bolyai UniversityCluj‐NapocaRomania
| | - Orsolya Vincze
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and EcologyBabeș‐Bolyai UniversityCluj‐NapocaRomania
- Institute of Aquatic EcologyCentre for Ecological ResearchDebrecenHungary
| | - Veronika Bókony
- Lendület Evolutionary Ecology Research GroupPlant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Eötvös Loránd Research NetworkBudapestHungary
| | - Péter L. Pap
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and EcologyBabeș‐Bolyai UniversityCluj‐NapocaRomania
| | - Laura Pătraș
- Department of Molecular Biology and BiotechnologyBabeş‐Bolyai UniversityCluj‐NapocaRomania
| | - Janka Pénzes
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and EcologyBabeș‐Bolyai UniversityCluj‐NapocaRomania
| | - Lőrinc Bărbos
- Milvus Group Bird and Nature Protection AssociationTârgu MureșRomania
| | - Attila Fülöp
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and EcologyBabeș‐Bolyai UniversityCluj‐NapocaRomania
- MTA‐DE Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human BiologyUniversity of DebrecenDebrecenHungary
| | - Gergely Osváth
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and EcologyBabeș‐Bolyai UniversityCluj‐NapocaRomania
- Museum of ZoologyBabeş‐Bolyai UniversityCluj‐NapocaRomania
| | - Simon Ducatez
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) – UMR 241 EIO (UPF, IRD, Ifremer, ILM)TahitiFrench Polynesia
| | - Mathieu Giraudeau
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS – La Rochelle UniversitéLa RochelleFrance
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7
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Lindsay WR, Mendonça R, Slight MW, Prager M, Andersson MX, Mundy NI, Andersson S. Seasonal but not sex-biased gene expression of the carotenoid ketolase, CYP2J19, in the sexually dichromatic southern red bishop ( Euplectes orix). ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022. [PMID: 35937912 DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6114863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Intense red colours in birds are often owing to ketocarotenoids (KCs). In many land birds, KCs are oxidized from dietary yellow precursors, presumably by the avian carotenoid ketolase CYP2J19, the regulation and constraints of which have important implications for condition-dependence and honest signalling of carotenoid colour displays. We investigated hepatic CYP2J19 gene expression in the seasonally and sexually dichromatic southern red bishop (Euplectes orix) in relation to season, sex, progression of the prenuptial moult, testis size, body condition, redness and circulating sex steroids. A coloration function of CYP2J19 is supported by a seasonal upregulation prior to and during the carotenoid-depositing stage of the male prenuptial moult. However, CYP2J19 expression was similarly high in females (which do not moult prenuptially), and remained high in males after moult, suggesting additional or alternative roles of hepatic CYP2J19 or its products, such as detoxification or antioxidant functions. In males, the CYP2J19 upregulation preceded and was unrelated to the rise in plasma testosterone, but was correlated with androstenedione, probably of adrenal origin and compatible with luteinizing hormone-induced and (in females) oestrogen-suppressed moult. Finally, contrary to ideas that carotenoid ketolation rate mediates honest signalling of male quality, CYP2J19 expression was not related to plumage redness or male body condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willow R Lindsay
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18, SE-413 -90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Rute Mendonça
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18, SE-413 -90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mathilda Waleij Slight
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18, SE-413 -90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maria Prager
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, University of Stockholm, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mats X Andersson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18, SE-413 -90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Nicholas I Mundy
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Staffan Andersson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18, SE-413 -90 Gothenburg, Sweden
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8
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Lindsay WR, Mendonça R, Slight MW, Prager M, Andersson MX, Mundy NI, Andersson S. Seasonal but not sex-biased gene expression of the carotenoid ketolase, CYP2J19, in the sexually dichromatic southern red bishop ( Euplectes orix). ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220434. [PMID: 35937912 PMCID: PMC9346373 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Intense red colours in birds are often owing to ketocarotenoids (KCs). In many land birds, KCs are oxidized from dietary yellow precursors, presumably by the avian carotenoid ketolase CYP2J19, the regulation and constraints of which have important implications for condition-dependence and honest signalling of carotenoid colour displays. We investigated hepatic CYP2J19 gene expression in the seasonally and sexually dichromatic southern red bishop (Euplectes orix) in relation to season, sex, progression of the prenuptial moult, testis size, body condition, redness and circulating sex steroids. A coloration function of CYP2J19 is supported by a seasonal upregulation prior to and during the carotenoid-depositing stage of the male prenuptial moult. However, CYP2J19 expression was similarly high in females (which do not moult prenuptially), and remained high in males after moult, suggesting additional or alternative roles of hepatic CYP2J19 or its products, such as detoxification or antioxidant functions. In males, the CYP2J19 upregulation preceded and was unrelated to the rise in plasma testosterone, but was correlated with androstenedione, probably of adrenal origin and compatible with luteinizing hormone-induced and (in females) oestrogen-suppressed moult. Finally, contrary to ideas that carotenoid ketolation rate mediates honest signalling of male quality, CYP2J19 expression was not related to plumage redness or male body condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willow R. Lindsay
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18, SE-413 -90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Rute Mendonça
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18, SE-413 -90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mathilda Waleij Slight
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18, SE-413 -90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maria Prager
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, University of Stockholm, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mats X. Andersson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18, SE-413 -90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Nicholas I. Mundy
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Staffan Andersson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18, SE-413 -90 Gothenburg, Sweden
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9
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Goretskaia MY, Beme IR. Influence of Testosterone on Different Aspects of Bird Behavior and Physiology. BIOL BULL+ 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062359021080094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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10
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Walton SJ, Silla AJ, Endler JA, Byrne PG. Does dietary β-carotene influence ontogenetic colour change in the southern corroboree frog? J Exp Biol 2021; 224:273479. [PMID: 34694382 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Ontogenetic colour change occurs in a diversity of vertebrate taxa and may be closely linked to dietary changes throughout development. In various species, red, orange and yellow colouration can be enhanced by the consumption of carotenoids. However, a paucity of long-term dietary manipulation studies means that little is known of the role of individual carotenoid compounds in ontogenetic colour change. We know even less about the influence of individual compounds at different doses (dose effects). The present study aimed to use a large dietary manipulation experiment to investigate the effect of dietary β-carotene supplementation on colouration in southern corroboree frogs (Pseudophryne corroboree) during early post-metamorphic development. Frogs were reared on four dietary treatments with four β-carotene concentrations (0, 1, 2 and 3 mg g-1), with frog colour measured every 8 weeks for 32 weeks. β-Carotene was not found to influence colouration at any dose. However, colouration was found to become more conspicuous over time, including in the control treatment. Moreover, all frogs expressed colour maximally at a similar point in development. These results imply that, for our study species, (1) β-carotene may contribute little or nothing to colouration, (2) frogs can manufacture their own colour, (3) colour development is a continual process and (4) there may have been selection for synchronised development of colour expression. We discuss the potential adaptive benefit of ontogenetic colour change in P. corroboree. More broadly, we draw attention to the potential for adaptive developmental synchrony in the expression of colouration in aposematic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara J Walton
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Aimee J Silla
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - John A Endler
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Science, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Phillip G Byrne
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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11
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Associations between plumage colour and fear behaviour in young Nigerian indigenous turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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12
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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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Sexual Dimorphism in Morphology and Plumage of Endangered Yuma Ridgway's Rails: A Model for Documenting Sex. JOURNAL OF FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.3996/jfwm-20-095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Many applications in wildlife management require knowledge of the sex of individual animals. The Yuma Ridgway's rail Rallus obsoletus yumanensis is an endangered marsh bird with monomorphic plumage and secretive behaviors, thereby complicating sex determination in field studies. We collected morphometric measurements from 270 adult Yuma Ridgway's rails and quantified the plumage and mandible color of 91 of those individuals throughout their geographic range to evaluate intersexual differences in morphology and coloration. We genetically sexed a subset of adult Yuma Ridgway's rails (n = 101) and used these individuals to determine the optimal combination of measurements (based on discriminant function analyses) to distinguish between sexes. Males averaged significantly larger than females in all measurements, and the optimal discriminant function contained whole leg, culmen, and tail measurements and classified correctly 97.8% (95% CI: 92.5–100.0%) of genetically sexed individuals. We used two additional functions that classified correctly ≥ 95.6% of genetically sexed Yuma Ridgway's rails to assign sex to individuals with missing measurements. These simple models provide managers and researchers with a practical tool to determine the sex of Yuma Ridgway's rails based on morphometric measurements. Although color measurements were not in the most accurate discriminant functions, we quantified subtle intersexual differences in the color of mandibles and greater coverts of Yuma Ridgway's rails. These results document sex-specific patterns in coloration that allow future researchers to test hypotheses to determine the mechanisms underlying sex-based differences in plumage coloration.
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14
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Price-Waldman R, Stoddard MC. Avian Coloration Genetics: Recent Advances and Emerging Questions. J Hered 2021; 112:395-416. [PMID: 34002228 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esab015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The colorful phenotypes of birds have long provided rich source material for evolutionary biologists. Avian plumage, beaks, skin, and eggs-which exhibit a stunning range of cryptic and conspicuous forms-inspired early work on adaptive coloration. More recently, avian color has fueled discoveries on the physiological, developmental, and-increasingly-genetic mechanisms responsible for phenotypic variation. The relative ease with which avian color traits can be quantified has made birds an attractive system for uncovering links between phenotype and genotype. Accordingly, the field of avian coloration genetics is burgeoning. In this review, we highlight recent advances and emerging questions associated with the genetic underpinnings of bird color. We start by describing breakthroughs related to 2 pigment classes: carotenoids that produce red, yellow, and orange in most birds and psittacofulvins that produce similar colors in parrots. We then discuss structural colors, which are produced by the interaction of light with nanoscale materials and greatly extend the plumage palette. Structural color genetics remain understudied-but this paradigm is changing. We next explore how colors that arise from interactions among pigmentary and structural mechanisms may be controlled by genes that are co-expressed or co-regulated. We also identify opportunities to investigate genes mediating within-feather micropatterning and the coloration of bare parts and eggs. We conclude by spotlighting 2 research areas-mechanistic links between color vision and color production, and speciation-that have been invigorated by genetic insights, a trend likely to continue as new genomic approaches are applied to non-model species.
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15
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Stuart-Fox D, Rankin KJ, Lutz A, Elliott A, Hugall AF, McLean CA, Medina I. Environmental gradients predict the ratio of environmentally acquired carotenoids to self-synthesised pteridine pigments. Ecol Lett 2021; 24:2207-2218. [PMID: 34350679 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Carotenoids are important pigments producing integument colouration; however, their dietary availability may be limited in some environments. Many species produce yellow to red hues using a combination of carotenoids and self-synthesised pteridine pigments. A compelling hypothesis is that pteridines replace carotenoids in environments where carotenoid availability is limited. To test this hypothesis, we quantified concentrations of five carotenoid and six pteridine pigments in multiple skin colours and individuals from 27 species of agamid lizards. We show that environmental gradients predict the ratio of carotenoids to pteridines; carotenoid concentrations are lower and pteridine concentrations higher in arid environments with low vegetation productivity. Both carotenoid and pteridine pigments were present in all species, but only pteridine concentrations explained colour variation among species and there were no correlations between carotenoid and pteridine pigments with a similar hue. These results suggest that in arid environments, where carotenoids are likely limited, species may compensate by synthesising more pteridines but do not necessarily replace carotenoids with pteridines of similar hue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devi Stuart-Fox
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia
| | - Katrina J Rankin
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia
| | - Adrian Lutz
- Metabolomics Australia, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia
| | - Adam Elliott
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia
| | - Andrew F Hugall
- Sciences Department, Museums Victoria, Carlton Gardens, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Claire A McLean
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia.,Sciences Department, Museums Victoria, Carlton Gardens, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Iliana Medina
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia
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16
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Tripathy PS, Devi NC, Parhi J, Priyadarshi H, Patel AB, Pandey PK, Mandal SC. Molecular Mechanisms of Natural Carotenoid-based Pigmentation of Queen Loach, Botia dario (Hamilton, 1822) Under Captive Condition. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12585. [PMID: 31467347 PMCID: PMC6715654 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48982-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic basis and expression patterns of key genes are important aspects of study to understand the colouration. This trait differs between wild and domesticated fish which is a matter of research. Botia dario is an indigenous fish, having ornamental and aesthetic value, which shows faded appearance in terms of colour in domesticated condition than wild. In the present study the carotenoid-fed B. dario were examined through incorporation of marigold petal meal in the diets at the rate of 5, 10 and 15% w/w along with wild fish. The carotenoid content of tissues that is skin, muscle and intestine along with intensity of colouration increased in a dose dependant manner of carotenoid in the diet. Important carotenoid-based colouration genes that is csf1r, BCDO2, SR-B1, MLN64, STAR5, GSTA2 and PLIN2 were characterized in the fish, to find out their role in fish pigmentation. The significant difference (p < 0.05) in the expression of these genes in different tissues, when compared among carotenoid-fed domesticated and wild fish, revealed the mechanism responsible for faded colouration and also revealed the means to enhance colour in the fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Partha Sarathi Tripathy
- College of Fisheries, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Lembucherra, Pin- 799210, Tripura, India
| | - Ningthoujam Chaoba Devi
- College of Fisheries, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Lembucherra, Pin- 799210, Tripura, India
| | - Janmejay Parhi
- College of Fisheries, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Lembucherra, Pin- 799210, Tripura, India
| | - Himanshu Priyadarshi
- College of Fisheries, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Lembucherra, Pin- 799210, Tripura, India
| | - Arun Bhai Patel
- College of Fisheries, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Lembucherra, Pin- 799210, Tripura, India
| | - Pramod Kumar Pandey
- College of Fisheries, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Lembucherra, Pin- 799210, Tripura, India
| | - Sagar Chandra Mandal
- College of Fisheries, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Lembucherra, Pin- 799210, Tripura, India.
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17
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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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18
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Boratyński Z, Brito JC, Campos JC, Cunha JL, Granjon L, Mappes T, Ndiaye A, Rzebik-Kowalska B, Serén N. Repeated evolution of camouflage in speciose desert rodents. Sci Rep 2017; 7:3522. [PMID: 28615685 PMCID: PMC5471182 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03444-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
There are two main factors explaining variation among species and the evolution of characters along phylogeny: adaptive change, including phenotypic and genetic responses to selective pressures, and phylogenetic inertia, or the resemblance between species due to shared phylogenetic history. Phenotype-habitat colour match, a classic Darwinian example of the evolution of camouflage (crypsis), offers the opportunity to test the importance of historical versus ecological mechanisms in shaping phenotypes among phylogenetically closely related taxa. To assess it, we investigated fur (phenotypic data) and habitat (remote sensing data) colourations, along with phylogenetic information, in the species-rich Gerbillus genus. Overall, we found a strong phenotype-habitat match, once the phylogenetic signal is taken into account. We found that camouflage has been acquired and lost repeatedly in the course of the evolutionary history of Gerbillus. Our results suggest that fur colouration and its covariation with habitat is a relatively labile character in mammals, potentially responding quickly to selection. Relatively unconstrained and substantial genetic basis, as well as structural and functional independence from other fitness traits of mammalian colouration might be responsible for that observation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zbyszek Boratyński
- CIBIO-InBIO Associate Laboratory, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal.
| | - José C Brito
- CIBIO-InBIO Associate Laboratory, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Rua Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - João C Campos
- CIBIO-InBIO Associate Laboratory, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Rua Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - José L Cunha
- CIBIO-InBIO Associate Laboratory, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal
| | - Laurent Granjon
- IRD, UMR CBGP, Campus International de Baillarguet, CS 30016, 34988, Montferrier-sur-Lez cedex, France
| | - Tapio Mappes
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014, Finland
| | - Arame Ndiaye
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, University Cheikh Anta Diop, BP 5005, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Barbara Rzebik-Kowalska
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sławkowska 17, 31-016, Kraków, Poland
| | - Nina Serén
- CIBIO-InBIO Associate Laboratory, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal
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19
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Young CM, Cain KE, Svedin N, Backwell PRY, Pryke SR. Predictors of aggressive response towards simulated intruders depend on context and sex in Crimson Finches (Neochmia phaeton). Behav Processes 2017; 138:41-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2017.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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20
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Ligon RA, Simpson RK, Mason NA, Hill GE, McGraw KJ. Evolutionary innovation and diversification of carotenoid‐based pigmentation in finches. Evolution 2016; 70:2839-2852. [DOI: 10.1111/evo.13093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Revised: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Russell A. Ligon
- School of Life Sciences Arizona State University Tempe Arizona 85287
- Laboratory of Ornithology Cornell University Ithaca New York 14850
| | | | - Nicholas A. Mason
- Laboratory of Ornithology Cornell University Ithaca New York 14850
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca New York 14853
| | - Geoffrey E. Hill
- Department of Biological Sciences Auburn University Auburn Alabama 36849
| | - Kevin J. McGraw
- School of Life Sciences Arizona State University Tempe Arizona 85287
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21
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Gomes ACR, Sorenson MD, Cardoso GC. Speciation is associated with changing ornamentation rather than stronger sexual selection. Evolution 2016; 70:2823-2838. [DOI: 10.1111/evo.13088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Revised: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cristina R. Gomes
- CIBIO—Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto Campus Agrário de Vairão 4485–661 Vairão Portugal
| | | | - Gonçalo C. Cardoso
- CIBIO—Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto Campus Agrário de Vairão 4485–661 Vairão Portugal
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22
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Dale J, Dey CJ, Delhey K, Kempenaers B, Valcu M. The effects of life history and sexual selection on male and female plumage colouration. Nature 2015; 527:367-70. [DOI: 10.1038/nature15509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 238] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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23
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Chen D, Liu Y, Davison GWH, Dong L, Chang J, Gao S, Li SH, Zhang Z. Revival of the genusTropicoperdix Blyth 1859 (Phasianidae, Aves) using multilocus sequence data. Zool J Linn Soc 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- De Chen
- Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences; Beijing Normal University; Beijing 100875 China
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and College of Ecology and Evolution; Sun Yat-sen University; Guangzhou 510275 China
| | | | - Lu Dong
- Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences; Beijing Normal University; Beijing 100875 China
| | - Jiang Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment; Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences; Beijing 100012 China
| | - Shenghan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100101 China
| | - Shou-Hsien Li
- Department of Life Science; National Taiwan Normal University; Taipei 10610 Taiwan
| | - Zhengwang Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences; Beijing Normal University; Beijing 100875 China
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24
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Thomas DB, McGraw KJ, Butler MW, Carrano MT, Madden O, James HF. Ancient origins and multiple appearances of carotenoid-pigmented feathers in birds. Proc Biol Sci 2015; 281:20140806. [PMID: 24966316 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2014.0806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The broad palette of feather colours displayed by birds serves diverse biological functions, including communication and camouflage. Fossil feathers provide evidence that some avian colours, like black and brown melanins, have existed for at least 160 million years (Myr), but no traces of bright carotenoid pigments in ancient feathers have been reported. Insight into the evolutionary history of plumage carotenoids may instead be gained from living species. We visually surveyed modern birds for carotenoid-consistent plumage colours (present in 2956 of 9993 species). We then used high-performance liquid chromatography and Raman spectroscopy to chemically assess the family-level distribution of plumage carotenoids, confirming their presence in 95 of 236 extant bird families (only 36 family-level occurrences had been confirmed previously). Using our data for all modern birds, we modelled the evolutionary history of carotenoid-consistent plumage colours on recent supertrees. Results support multiple independent origins of carotenoid plumage pigmentation in 13 orders, including six orders without previous reports of plumage carotenoids. Based on time calibrations from the supertree, the number of avian families displaying plumage carotenoids increased throughout the Cenozoic, and most plumage carotenoid originations occurred after the Miocene Epoch (23 Myr). The earliest origination of plumage carotenoids was reconstructed within Passeriformes, during the Palaeocene Epoch (66-56 Myr), and not at the base of crown-lineage birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B Thomas
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology, MRC-116, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20013-7012, USA Museum Conservation Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Suitland, MD 20746, USA Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, Auckland 0632, New Zealand
| | - Kevin J McGraw
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, USA
| | - Michael W Butler
- Department of Biology, Lafayette College, Easton, PA 18042-1778, USA
| | - Matthew T Carrano
- Department of Paleobiology, MRC-121, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20013-7012, USA
| | - Odile Madden
- Museum Conservation Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Suitland, MD 20746, USA
| | - Helen F James
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology, MRC-116, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20013-7012, USA
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25
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Dey CJ, Valcu M, Kempenaers B, Dale J. Carotenoid-based bill coloration functions as a social, not sexual, signal in songbirds (Aves: Passeriformes). J Evol Biol 2015; 28:250-8. [DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Revised: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. J. Dey
- Department of Biology; McMaster University; Hamilton ON Canada
| | - M. Valcu
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics; Max Planck Institute for Ornithology; Seewiesen Germany
| | - B. Kempenaers
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics; Max Planck Institute for Ornithology; Seewiesen Germany
| | - J. Dale
- Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences; Albany Campus; Massey University; Auckland New Zealand
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26
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Vergara P, Fargallo JA, Martínez-Padilla J. Genetic basis and fitness correlates of dynamic carotenoid-based ornamental coloration in male and female common kestrels Falco tinnunculus. J Evol Biol 2014; 28:146-54. [DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P. Vergara
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva; Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC; Madrid Spain
| | - J. A. Fargallo
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva; Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC; Madrid Spain
| | - J. Martínez-Padilla
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva; Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC; Madrid Spain
- Department of Ethology and Biodiversity Conservation; Estación Biológica de Doñana - CSIC; Sevilla Spain
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27
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Simons MJP, Maia R, Leenknegt B, Verhulst S. Carotenoid-dependent signals and the evolution of plasma carotenoid levels in birds. Am Nat 2014; 184:741-51. [PMID: 25438174 DOI: 10.1086/678402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Sexual selection has resulted in a wide array of ornaments used in mate choice, and such indicator traits signal quality honestly when they bear costs, precluding cheating. Carotenoid-dependent coloration has attracted considerable attention in this context, because investing carotenoids in coloration has to be traded off against its physiological functions; carotenoids are antioxidants and increase immunocompetence. This trade-off is hypothesized to underlie the honesty of carotenoid-dependent coloration, signaling the "handicap" of allocating carotenoids away from somatic maintenance toward sexual display. Utilizing recent advances in modeling adaptive evolution, we used a comparative approach to investigate the evolution of plasma carotenoid levels using a species-level phylogeny of 178 bird species. We find that the evolutionary optimum for carotenoid levels is higher in lineages that evolved carotenoid-dependent coloration, with strong attraction toward this optimum. Hence, carotenoids do not appear to be limiting, given that higher carotenoid levels readily evolve in response to the evolution of carotenoid-dependent coloration. These findings challenge the assumption that carotenoids are a scarce resource and thus also challenge the hypothesis that physiological resource value of carotenoids underlies honesty of carotenoid-dependent traits. Therefore, the comparative evidence suggests that other factors, such as the acquisition and incorporation of carotenoids, are involved in maintaining signal honesty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirre J P Simons
- Behavioural Biology, Centre for Life Sciences, University of Groningen, PO Box 11103, 9700CC, Groningen, The Netherlands
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28
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Simons MJ, Briga M, Leenknegt B, Verhulst S. Context-dependent effects of carotenoid supplementation on reproduction in zebra finches. Behav Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/aru062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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29
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Simons MJP, Cohen AA, Verhulst S. What does carotenoid-dependent coloration tell? Plasma carotenoid level signals immunocompetence and oxidative stress state in birds-A meta-analysis. PLoS One 2012; 7:e43088. [PMID: 22905205 PMCID: PMC3419220 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0043088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2012] [Accepted: 07/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms maintaining honesty of sexual signals are far from resolved, limiting our understanding of sexual selection and potential important parts of physiology. Carotenoid pigmented visual signals are among the most extensively studied sexual displays, but evidence regarding hypotheses on how carotenoids ensure signal honesty is mixed. Using a phylogenetically controlled meta-analysis of 357 effect sizes across 88 different species of birds, we tested two prominent hypotheses in the field: that carotenoid-dependent coloration signals i) immunocompetence and/or ii) oxidative stress state. Separate meta-analyses were performed for the relationships of trait coloration and circulating carotenoid level with different measures of immunocompetence and oxidative stress state. For immunocompetence we find that carotenoid levels (r = 0.20) and trait color intensity (r = 0.17) are significantly positively related to PHA response. Additionally we find that carotenoids are significantly positively related to antioxidant capacity (r = 0.10), but not significantly related to oxidative damage (r = -0.02). Thus our analyses provide support for both hypotheses, in that at least for some aspects of immunity and oxidative stress state the predicted correlations were found. Furthermore, we tested for differences in effect size between experimental and observational studies; a larger effect in observational studies would indicate that co-variation might not be causal. However, we detected no significant difference, suggesting that the relationships we found are causal. The overall effect sizes we report are modest and we discuss potential factors contributing to this, including differences between species. We suggest complementary mechanisms maintaining honesty rather than the involvement of carotenoids in immune function and oxidative stress and suggest experiments on how to test these.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirre J P Simons
- Behavioural Biology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Simons MJP, Briga M, Koetsier E, Folkertsma R, Wubs MD, Dijkstra C, Verhulst S. Bill redness is positively associated with reproduction and survival in male and female zebra finches. PLoS One 2012; 7:e40721. [PMID: 22808243 PMCID: PMC3395645 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2012] [Accepted: 06/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual traits can serve as honest indicators of phenotypic quality when they are costly. Brightly coloured yellow to red traits, which are pigmented by carotenoids, are relatively common in birds, and feature in sexual selection. Carotenoids have been linked to immune and antioxidant function, and the trade-off between ornamentation and these physiological functions provides a potential mechanism rendering carotenoid based signals costly. Mutual ornamentation is also common in birds and can be maintained by mutual mate choice for this ornament or by a correlated response in one sex to selection on the other sex. When selection pressures differ between the sexes this can cause intralocus sexual conflict. Sexually antagonistic selection pressures have been demonstrated for few sexual traits, and for carotenoid-dependent traits there is a single example: bill redness was found to be positively associated with survival and reproductive output in male zebra finches, but negatively so in females. We retested these associations in our captive zebra finch population without two possible limitations of this earlier study. Contrary to the earlier findings, we found no evidence for sexually antagonistic selection. In both sexes, individuals with redder bills showed higher survival. This association disappeared among the females with the reddest bills. Furthermore, females with redder bills achieved higher reproductive output. We conclude that bill redness of male and female zebra finches honestly signals phenotypic quality, and discuss the possible causes of the differences between our results and earlier findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirre J P Simons
- Behavioural Biology, Centre for Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Matrková J, Remeš V. Environmental and genetic effects on pigment-based vs. structural component of yellow feather colouration. PLoS One 2012; 7:e36640. [PMID: 22590581 PMCID: PMC3349711 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2011] [Accepted: 04/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Carotenoid plumage is of widespread use in bird communication. Carotenoid-based feather colouration has recently been shown to be dependent on both pigment concentration and feather structure. If these two components are determined differently, one plumage patch may potentially convey different aspects of individual quality. Methodology/Principal Findings We evaluated the effects of genetic and environmental factors on carotenoid-based yellow breast colouration of Great Tit (Parus major) nestlings. By partial cross-fostering, we separated the genetic and pre-natal vs. post-natal parental effects on both the structural and the pigment-based component of carotenoid-based plumage colouration. We also simultaneously manipulated the post-hatching environment by brood size manipulation. The structural component of nestling colouration reflected features of female colouration. On the other hand, the pigment-based component was more affected by rearing conditions presumably representing food quality. While the structural component was related to both origin- and environment-related factors, the pigment-based component seemed to be environment-dependent only. These results support the notion that pigment-based and structural components of feather colouration are determined differently. Conclusions/Significance Chromatic and achromatic components of carotenoid-based feather colouration reflected different aspects of individual quality and history, and thus may potentially form a multicomponent signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Matrková
- Department of Zoology and Laboratory of Ornithology, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
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Blount JD, Pike TW. Deleterious effects of light exposure on immunity and sexual coloration in birds. Funct Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2011.01926.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Schielzeth H, Kempenaers B, Ellegren H, Forstmeier W. QTL LINKAGE MAPPING OF ZEBRA FINCH BEAK COLOR SHOWS AN OLIGOGENIC CONTROL OF A SEXUALLY SELECTED TRAIT. Evolution 2011; 66:18-30. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.2011.01431.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Itonaga K, Jones SM, Wapstra E. Effects of variation in maternal carotenoid intake during gestation on offspring innate immune response in a matrotrophic viviparous reptile. Funct Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2011.01882.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Simons MJ, Verhulst S. Zebra finch females prefer males with redder bills independent of song rate—a meta-analysis. Behav Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arr043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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MCGRAW KEVINJ, NOLAN PAULM, CRINO ONDIL. Carotenoids bolster immunity during moult in a wild songbird with sexually selected plumage coloration. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2010.01594.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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McGraw KJ. Avian Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress: Highlights from Studies of Food, Physiology, and Feathers. OXIDATIVE STRESS IN APPLIED BASIC RESEARCH AND CLINICAL PRACTICE 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61779-071-3_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
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Benito MM, González-Solís J, Becker PH. Carotenoid supplementation and sex-specific trade-offs between colouration and condition in common tern chicks. J Comp Physiol B 2010; 181:539-49. [PMID: 21153646 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-010-0537-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2010] [Revised: 11/09/2010] [Accepted: 11/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Carotenoids, as pigments with antioxidant and immunoregulatory properties, play a crucial role in developing chicks. Carotenoids must be acquired through diet and are relatively scarce, suggesting that their availability is a limiting factor leading to a trade-off between colour displays and physiological functions. However, potential differences in this trade-off between male and female chicks have been little studied. We manipulated carotenoid availability in 9 days old common tern Sterna hirundo chicks by supplementing their fish diet with four carotenoids during 9 days. Our aim was to examine sex-specific responses to the experimental increase of dietary carotenoids on plasma circulation, physiological and condition variables and successful fledging. Furthermore, to explore the functional and evolutionary basis of the trade-off, we studied the relationships among carotenoid concentration, mediated immune response and foot colouration. After treatment, control chicks showed decreasing plasma levels for most carotenoid types, whereas supplemented chicks had strong increases. Colour luminosity and saturation increased in both treatment groups, while hue only changed significantly towards redder feet in supplemented females. Supplemented chicks presented neither different T-cell-mediated immunity nor other differences compared to control chicks. Nevertheless, supplemented females showed tendencies towards decreased immune responses and increased δ(15)N signatures, and supplemented males towards greater body mass. Our results indicate colouration may have, in females, a signalling function as to compensate for immunological costs. In males, additional availability of carotenoids may contribute to improve the body condition. This study suggests that trade-off responses to carotenoid availability are sex-specific in tern chicks. Thus, parental carotenoid supply to chicks may be an unrecognised component in sex allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- María M Benito
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Department Biologia Animal (Vertebrats), Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 645, Barcelona, 08028, Spain.
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Galván I, Mousseau TA, Møller AP. Bird population declines due to radiation exposure at Chernobyl are stronger in species with pheomelanin-based coloration. Oecologia 2010; 165:827-35. [PMID: 21136083 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-010-1860-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2010] [Accepted: 11/15/2010] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Eumelanin and pheomelanin are the most common pigments providing color to the integument of vertebrates. While pheomelanogenesis requires high levels of a key intracellular antioxidant (glutathione, GSH), eumelanogenesis is inhibited by GSH. This implies that species that possess the molecular basis to produce large amounts of pheomelanin might be more limited in coping with environmental conditions that generate oxidative stress than species that produce eumelanin. Exposure to ionizing radiation produces free radicals and depletes antioxidant resources. GSH is particularly susceptible to radiation, so that species with large proportions of pheomelanic integument may be limited by the availability of GSH to combat oxidative stress and may thus suffer more from radiation effects. We tested this hypothesis in 97 species of birds censused in areas with varying levels of radioactive contamination around Chernobyl. After controlling for the effects of carotenoid-based color, body mass and similarity among taxa due to common phylogenetic descent, the proportion of pheomelanic plumage was strongly negatively related to the slope estimates of the relationship between abundance and radiation levels, while no effect of eumelanic color proportion was found. This represents the first report of an effect of the expression of melanin-based coloration on the capacity to resist the effects of ionizing radiation. Population declines were also stronger in species that exhibit carotenoid-based coloration and have large body mass. The magnitude of population declines had a relatively high phylogenetic signal, indicating that certain groups of birds, especially non-corvid passeriforms, are particularly susceptible to suffer from the effects of radioactive contamination due to phylogenetic inertia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismael Galván
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Estación Biológica De Doñana, CSIC, 41092 Sevilla, Spain.
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Griggio M, Valera F, Casas-Crivillé A, Hoi H, Barbosa A. White tail markings are an indicator of quality and affect mate preference in rock sparrows. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-010-1067-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Bamford AJ, Monadjem A, Hardy ICW. Associations of Avian Facial Flushing and Skin Colouration with Agonistic Interaction Outcomes. Ethology 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2010.01834.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Hipfner J, Hobson K, Dale J, McGraw K. Stable Isotopes Link Diet to Avian Yolk Carotenoid Allocation: A Comparative Study of Five Auk Species (Charadriiformes: Alcidae). Physiol Biochem Zool 2010; 83:481-9. [DOI: 10.1086/651515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Yolk carotenoids and stable isotopes reveal links among environment, foraging behavior and seabird breeding success. Oecologia 2010; 163:351-60. [PMID: 20397031 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-010-1618-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2009] [Accepted: 03/15/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Nutrients that are limited in availability, such as carotenoids, are potentially involved in trade-offs between homeostasis and reproduction. Despite their importance, factors that affect the capacity of female birds to meet their carotenoid requirements are poorly understood. We used delta(15)N stable isotope analysis to relate foraging behavior to yolk carotenoid deposition in two seabirds, Cassin's auklet (Ptychoramphus aleuticus) and rhinoceros auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata), during each of five years. As expected from their narrower trophic range, Cassin's auklets produced yolks with fewer carotenoid types than did rhinoceros auklets (one vs. three). Cassin's auklets also fed on a lower trophic level diet richer in carotenoids, yet had lower total yolk carotenoid levels, which suggests a role for species-specific adaptations for carotenoid uptake and utilization. Within both species, lower trophic-level feeding was linked to higher yolk carotenoid levels, but through different mechanisms. In Cassin's auklets, it was due to a population-wide response to environmental variation: in warm-water years, all females fed at a low trophic level and produced carotenoid-rich yolks. In rhinoceros auklets, it was due to individual differences similarly expressed in all years: females fed across a wide trophic range, and those that fed at a low trophic level produced carotenoid-rich yolks. Rhinoceros auklets bred more successfully in years when their yolks were rich in carotenoids, probably due to a correlated response to stronger marine primary production. Our results are novel because they link avian yolk carotenoid deposition to behavioral and environmental variations.
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Matysioková B, Remeš V. Incubation Feeding and Nest Attentiveness in a Socially Monogamous Songbird: Role of Feather Colouration, Territory Quality and Ambient Environment. Ethology 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2010.01776.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Mougeot F, Martínez-Padilla J, Blount JD, Pérez-Rodríguez L, Webster LMI, Piertney SB. Oxidative stress and the effect of parasites on a carotenoid-based ornament. J Exp Biol 2010; 213:400-7. [PMID: 20086124 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.037101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress, the physiological condition whereby the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species overwhelms the capacity of antioxidant defences, causes damage to key bio-molecules. It has been implicated in many diseases, and is proposed as a reliable currency in the trade-off between individual health and ornamentation. Whether oxidative stress mediates the expression of carotenoid-based signals, which are among the commonest signals of many birds, fish and reptiles, remains controversial. In the present study, we explored interactions between parasites, oxidative stress and the carotenoid-based ornamentation of red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus. We tested whether removing nematode parasites influenced both oxidative balance (levels of oxidative damage and circulating antioxidant defences) and carotenoid-based ornamentation. At the treatment group level, parasite purging enhanced the size and colouration of ornaments but did not significantly affect circulating carotenoids, antioxidant defences or oxidative damage. However, relative changes in these traits among individuals indicated that males with a greater number of parasites prior to treatment (parasite purging) showed a greater increase in the levels of circulating carotenoids and antioxidants, and a greater decrease in oxidative damage, than those with initially fewer parasites. At the individual level, a greater increase in carotenoid pigmentation was associated with a greater reduction in oxidative damage. Therefore, an individual's ability to express a carotenoid-based ornament appeared to be linked to its current oxidative balance and susceptibility to oxidative stress. Our experimental results suggest that oxidative stress can mediate the impact of parasites on carotenoid-based signals, and we discuss possible mechanisms linking carotenoid-based ornaments to oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Mougeot
- Estación Experimental de Zonas Aridas, CSIC, General Segura 1, 04001 Almeria, Spain.
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46
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Biard C, Gil D, Karadaş F, Saino N, Spottiswoode CN, Surai PF, Møller AP. Maternal effects mediated by antioxidants and the evolution of carotenoid-based signals in birds. Am Nat 2009; 174:696-708. [PMID: 19780651 DOI: 10.1086/606021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Bright yellow to red signals used in mate choice or intrasexual competition are based on carotenoid pigments that are hypothesized to be traded between physiological functions and coloration. These signals have recently been shown to be influenced by maternal effects. Indeed, yolk-derived carotenoids are essential for embryos to develop efficient carotenoid metabolism in posthatching life. Maternal effects facilitate adaptation to environmental variability and influence the evolution of phenotypic traits such as secondary sexual signals. Here we propose that maternal investment in yolk carotenoids promotes the evolution of carotenoid-based ornaments. We conducted a comparative analysis of lipid-soluble antioxidants (carotenoids and vitamins A and E) in the eggs of 112 species of bird. Species with large clutch sizes deposited higher yolk concentrations of the three antioxidants. There was a significant positive relationship between yolk carotenoids and the expression of male carotenoid-based signals, but not between yolk carotenoids and sexual dichromatism in these signals. These relationships were specific to carotenoids, as they were not found for vitamins A and E. This provides evidence consistent with the hypothesis that maternal effects mediated by yolk carotenoids play a role in the evolution of carotenoid-based signals as a response to sexual selection, likely based on organizational effects of carotenoids during embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clotilde Biard
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 7103, Laboratoire de Parasitologie Evolutive, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, 7 quai Saint Bernard, F-75252 Paris, France.
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Cohen AA, McGraw KJ, Robinson WD. Serum antioxidant levels in wild birds vary in relation to diet, season, life history strategy, and species. Oecologia 2009; 161:673-83. [PMID: 19669166 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-009-1423-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2008] [Accepted: 07/03/2009] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Micronutrient antioxidants are thought to be generally important for health in many animals, but factors determining levels in individuals and species are not well understood. Diet and season are obvious environmental variables that might predict the degree to which species can accumulate such nutrients. We analyzed antioxidant levels [Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), uric acid (UA), vitamin E, and four carotenoids] in 95 bird species and compared these to species-level data on diet from the literature. Using compositional principal components analysis, we identified two main axes of diet variation: invertebrate consumption and seed-to-fruit ratio. We then examined associations between diet axes and antioxidant measures, with and without control for life-history variation and phylogeny. We also analyzed a subset of 13 species for which we had data on seasonality of antioxidant levels and diet, assessing the variance in antioxidant levels explained by seasonality, diet, and species. Unsurprisingly, there were strong associations between antioxidant levels and diet. TEAC and UA concentration were consistently positively associated with invertebrate consumption and seed-to-fruit ratio, and carotenoid concentrations (e.g. zeaxanthin and beta-carotene) were negatively associated with invertebrate consumption. However, vitamin E was not associated with diet as measured here. Importantly, there is much variation in antioxidants that is not explained by diet, and we are able to identify diet-independent effects of species, season/breeding stage, and life history on antioxidant levels. Circulating antioxidant concentrations within and across species can therefore be viewed as a function of multiple factors, including but not limited to diet, and antioxidant metabolism appears to differ across species and seasons irrespective of diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan A Cohen
- University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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TOBIAS JA, SEDDON N. Sexual selection and ecological generalism are correlated in antbirds. J Evol Biol 2009; 22:623-36. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2008.01678.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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49
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50
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Affiliation(s)
- David Costantini
- Ornis italica, Piazza Crati 15, I-00199 Roma, Italy, and Division of Neuroanatomy and Behaviour, Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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