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Marcolin F, Cardoso GC, Bento D, Reino L, Santana J. Body size and sexual selection shaped the evolution of parrot calls. J Evol Biol 2022; 35:439-450. [PMID: 35147264 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Morphology, habitat and various selective pressures (e.g., social and sexual selection) can influence the evolution of acoustic signals, but the relative importance of their effects is not well understood. The order Psittaciformes (parrots, sensu lato) is a large clade of very vocal and often gregarious species for which large-scale comparative studies of vocalizations are lacking. We measured acoustic traits (duration, sound frequency, frequency bandwidth and sound entropy) of the predominant call type for >200 parrot species to test: (1) for associations with body size; (2) the acoustic adaptation hypothesis (predicting differences between forest and open-habitat species); (3) the social complexity hypothesis (predicting more complex calls in gregarious species); and (4) influences of sexual selection (predicting correlated evolution with colour ornamentation). Larger species had on average longer calls, lower sound frequency and wider frequency bandwidth. These associations with body size are all predicted by physical principles of sound production. We found no evidence for the acoustic adaptation and social complexity hypotheses, but perhaps social complexity is associated with vocal traits not studied here, such as call repertoire sizes. More sexually dichromatic species had on average simpler calls (shorter, with lower entropy and narrower frequency bandwidth) indicating an influence of sexual selection, namely an evolutionary negative correlation between colour ornamentation and elaborate acoustic signals, as predicted by the transference hypothesis. Our study is the first large-scale attempt at understanding acoustic diversity across the Psittaciformes, and indicates that body size and sexual selection influenced the evolution of species differences in vocal signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Marcolin
- Centro de Estudos Florestais, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, P-1349-017, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo C Cardoso
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Daniel Bento
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal.,CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luís Reino
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal.,CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joana Santana
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal.,CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisboa, Portugal
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2
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Maia LF, De Oliveira VE, Edwards HGM, De Oliveira LFC. The Diversity of Linear Conjugated Polyenes and Colours in Nature: Raman Spectroscopy as a Diagnostic Tool. Chemphyschem 2020; 22:231-249. [PMID: 33225557 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202000818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
This review is centered on the linear conjugated polyenes, which encompasses chromatic biomolecules, such as carotenoids, polyunsaturated aldehydes and polyolefinic fatty acids. The linear extension of the conjugated double bonds in these molecules is the main feature that determines the spectroscopic properties as light-absorbing. These classes of compounds are responsible for the yellow, orange, red and purple colors which are observed in their parent flora and fauna in nature. Raman spectroscopy has been used as analytical tool for the characterization of these molecules, mainly due to the strong light scattering produced by the delocalized pi electrons in the carbon chain. In addition, conjugated polyenes are one of the main target molecular species for astrobiology, and we also present a brief discussion of the use of Raman spectroscopy as one of the main analytical tools for the detection of polyenes extra-terrestrially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenize F Maia
- Núcleo de Espectroscopia e Estrutura Molecular, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário s/n - Martelos, Juiz de Fora-MG, 36033-620, Brazil
| | - Vanessa E De Oliveira
- Departamento de Ciências da Natureza, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Campus Universitário de Rio das Ostras, Rua Recife, Lotes 1-7, Jardim Bela Vista, Rio das Ostras, RJ, 28895-532, Brazil
| | - Howell G M Edwards
- School of Chemistry and Biosciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, United Kingdom
| | - Luiz Fernando C De Oliveira
- Núcleo de Espectroscopia e Estrutura Molecular, Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário s/n - Martelos, Juiz de Fora-MG, 36033-620, Brazil
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3
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Carballo L, Delhey K, Valcu M, Kempenaers B. Body size and climate as predictors of plumage colouration and sexual dichromatism in parrots. J Evol Biol 2020; 33:1543-1557. [PMID: 32797649 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Psittaciformes (parrots, cockatoos and lorikeets) comprise one of the most colourful clades of birds. Their unique pigments and safe cavity nesting habits are two potential explanations for their colourful character. However, plumage colour varies substantially between parrot species and sometimes also between males and females of the same species. Here, we use comparative analyses to evaluate what factors correlate with colour elaboration, colour diversity and sexual dichromatism. Specifically, we test the association between different aspects of parrot colouration and (a) the intensity of sexual selection and social interactions, (b) variation along the slow-fast life-history continuum and (c) climatic variation. We show that larger species and species that live in warm environments display more elaborated colours, yet smaller species have higher levels of sexual dichromatism. Larger parrots tend to have darker and more blue and red colours. Parrots that live in wetter environments are darker and redder, whereas species inhabiting warm regions have more blue plumage colours. In general, each of the variables we considered explain small to moderate amounts of variation in parrot colouration (up to 15%). Our data suggest that sexual selection may be acting more strongly on males in small, short-lived parrots leading to sexual dichromatism. More elaborate colouration in both males and females of the larger, long-lived species with slow tropical life histories suggests that mutual mate choice, social selection and reduced selection for crypsis may be important in these species, as has been shown for passerines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisana Carballo
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Kaspar Delhey
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany.,School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia
| | - Mihai Valcu
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Bart Kempenaers
- Department of Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
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Javůrková VG, Enbody ED, Kreisinger J, Chmel K, Mrázek J, Karubian J. Plumage iridescence is associated with distinct feather microbiota in a tropical passerine. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12921. [PMID: 31501471 PMCID: PMC6733896 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49220-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Birds present a stunning diversity of plumage colors that have long fascinated evolutionary ecologists. Although plumage coloration is often linked to sexual selection, it may impact a number of physiological processes, including microbial resistance. At present, the degree to which differences between pigment-based vs. structural plumage coloration may affect the feather microbiota remains unanswered. Using quantitative PCR and DGGE profiling, we investigated feather microbial load, diversity and community structure among two allopatric subspecies of White-shouldered Fairywren, Malurus alboscapulatus that vary in expression of melanin-based vs. structural plumage coloration. We found that microbial load tended to be lower and feather microbial diversity was significantly higher in the plumage of black iridescent males, compared to black matte females and brown individuals. Moreover, black iridescent males had distinct feather microbial communities compared to black matte females and brown individuals. We suggest that distinctive nanostructure properties of iridescent male feathers or different investment in preening influence feather microbiota community composition and load. This study is the first to point to structural plumage coloration as a factor that may significantly regulate feather microbiota. Future work might explore fitness consequences and the role of microorganisms in the evolution of avian sexual dichromatism, with particular reference to iridescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Gvoždíková Javůrková
- Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Department of Animal Science, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic.
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Erik D Enbody
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Jakub Kreisinger
- Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kryštof Chmel
- Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1760, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Mrázek
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 160 00, Prague-Krč, Czech Republic
| | - Jordan Karubian
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
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5
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Delhey K, Peters A. The effect of colour‐producing mechanisms on plumage sexual dichromatism in passerines and parrots. Funct Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kaspar Delhey
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University 25 Rainforest walk Melbourne VIC3800 Australia
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology RadolfzellD‐78315 Germany
| | - Anne Peters
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University 25 Rainforest walk Melbourne VIC3800 Australia
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology RadolfzellD‐78315 Germany
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6
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Colour ornamentation in the blue tit: quantitative genetic (co)variances across sexes. Heredity (Edinb) 2016; 118:125-134. [PMID: 27577691 PMCID: PMC5234477 DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2016.70] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Although secondary sexual traits are commonly more developed in males than females, in many animal species females also display elaborate ornaments or weaponry. Indirect selection on correlated traits in males and/or direct sexual or social selection in females are hypothesized to drive the evolution and maintenance of female ornaments. Yet, the relative roles of these evolutionary processes remain unidentified, because little is known about the genetic correlation that might exist between the ornaments of both sexes, and few estimates of sex-specific autosomal or sex-linked genetic variances are available. In this study, we used two wild blue tit populations with 9 years of measurements on two colour ornaments: one structurally based (blue crown) and one carotenoid based (yellow chest). We found significant autosomal heritability for the chromatic part of the structurally based colouration in both sexes, whereas carotenoid chroma was heritable only in males, and the achromatic part of both colour patches was mostly non heritable. Power limitations, which are probably common among most data sets collected so far in wild populations, prevented estimation of sex-linked genetic variance. Bivariate analyses revealed very strong cross-sex genetic correlations in all heritable traits, although the strength of these correlations was not related to the level of sexual dimorphism. In total, our results suggest that males and females share a majority of their genetic variation underlying colour ornamentation, and hence the evolution of these sex-specific traits may depend greatly on correlated responses to selection in the opposite sex.
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Maia R, Rubenstein DR, Shawkey MD. Selection, constraint, and the evolution of coloration in African starlings. Evolution 2016; 70:1064-79. [DOI: 10.1111/evo.12912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Maia
- Department of Biology, Integrated Bioscience Program; University of Akron; Akron Ohio 44325
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology; Columbia University; New York New York 10027
| | - Dustin R. Rubenstein
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology; Columbia University; New York New York 10027
- Center for Integrative Animal Behavior; Columbia University; New York New York 10027
| | - Matthew D. Shawkey
- Department of Biology, Integrated Bioscience Program; University of Akron; Akron Ohio 44325
- Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology Unit; University of Ghent; Ledeganckstraat 35 9000 Ghent Belgium
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9
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Lahaye SEP, Eens M, Darras VM, Pinxten R. Bare-part color in female budgerigars changes from brown to structural blue following testosterone treatment but is not strongly masculinized. PLoS One 2014; 9:e86849. [PMID: 24475184 PMCID: PMC3901734 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Whereas several studies have shown that experimentally increased levels of the androgenic steroid testosterone can affect female behavior, fewer studies have focused on the activational effects of exogenous testosterone on female morphology. With respect to colorful displays in birds, almost exclusively the effects of testosterone manipulation on female carotenoid-based colorations have been studied. Other color types such as structural colors (i.e. UV, blue and violet colors that result from differential light reflection in the nanostructures of the tissue) remain largely unstudied. Here, we investigated the short- and long-term effects of exogenous testosterone on the expression of structural bare-part coloration in female budgerigars, Melopsittacus undulatus. In this parrot species, bare-part coloration is expressed in the cere, a structure over the beak which is brown in females and structural blue in males. We experimentally increased plasma testosterone levels in testosterone-treated females (T-females) compared to controls (C-females) and we performed weekly spectrophotometric measurements of the cere for five weeks after implantation and one measurement after ten weeks. We also estimated the extent to which testosterone masculinized female cere color by comparing the experimental females with untreated males. We found significant effects of testosterone on cere color from week four after implantation onwards. T-females expressed significantly bluer ceres than C-females with higher values for brightness and UV reflectance. T-female cere color, however, remained significantly less blue than in males, while values for brightness and UV reflectance were significantly higher in T-females than in males. Our quantitative results show that exogenous testosterone induces the expression of structural blue color in females but does not strongly masculinize female cere coloration. We provide several potential pathways for the action of testosterone on structural color.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcel Eens
- Research Group Ethology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Veerle M. Darras
- Laboratory of Comparative Endocrinology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rianne Pinxten
- Research Group Ethology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
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Chen IP, Symonds MRE, Melville J, Stuart-Fox D. Factors shaping the evolution of colour patterns in Australian agamid lizards (Agamidae): a comparative study. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- I-Ping Chen
- Zoology Department; University of Melbourne; Melbourne; Victoria; 3010; Australia
| | | | - Jane Melville
- Sciences Department; Museum Victoria; Carlton; Victoria; 3053; Australia
| | - Devi Stuart-Fox
- Zoology Department; University of Melbourne; Melbourne; Victoria; 3010; Australia
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