| Dissecting carotenoid from structural components of carotenoid-based coloration: a field experiment with great tits (Parus major). | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20470031 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Carotenoid-based yellowish to red plumage colors are widespread visual signals used in sexual and social communication. To understand their ultimate signaling functions, it is important to identify the proximate mechanism promoting variation in coloration. Carotenoid-based colors combine structural and pigmentary components, but the importance of the contribution of structural components to variation in pigment-based colors (i.e., carotenoid-based colors) has been undervalued. In a field experiment with great tits (Parus major), we combined a brood size manipulation with a simultaneous carotenoid supplementation in order to disentangle the effects of carotenoid availability and early growth condition on different components of the yellow breast feathers. By defining independent measures of feather carotenoid content (absolute carotenoid chroma) and background structure (background reflectance), we demonstrate that environmental factors experienced during the nestling period, namely, early growth conditions and carotenoid availability, contribute independently to variation in yellow plumage coloration. While early growth conditions affected the background reflectance of the plumage, the availability of carotenoids affected the absolute carotenoid chroma, the peak of maximum ultraviolet reflectance, and the overall shape, that is, chromatic information of the reflectance curves. These findings demonstrate that environment-induced variation in background structure contributes significantly to intraspecific variation in yellow carotenoid-based plumage coloration. |
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Authors:
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Alain Jacot; Cristina Romero-Diaz; Barbara Tschirren; Heinz Richner; Patrick S Fitze |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: The American naturalist Volume: 176 ISSN: 1537-5323 ISO Abbreviation: Am. Nat. Publication Date: 2010 Jul |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-06-03 Completed Date: 2010-10-12 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 2984688R Medline TA: Am Nat Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 55-62 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Behavioural Ecology and Evolutionary Genetics, Eberhard-Gwinner-Strasse 5, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany. alain.jacot@vogelwarte.ch |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animal Communication* Animals Carotenoids / administration & dosage, metabolism* Color* Computer Simulation Feathers / anatomy & histology, metabolism* Passeriformes / metabolism, physiology* Pigmentation / physiology* Switzerland Ultraviolet Rays |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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36-88-4/Carotenoids |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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