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Perini F, Cendron F, Lasagna E, Cassandro M, Penasa M. Genomic insights into shank and eggshell color in Italian local chickens. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103677. [PMID: 38593544 PMCID: PMC11004871 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Eggshell and shank color in poultry is an intriguing topic of research due to the roles in selection, breed recognition, and environmental adaptation. This study delves into the genomics foundations of shank and eggshell pigmentation in Italian local chickens through genome-wide association studies analysis to uncover the mechanisms governing these phenotypes. To this purpose, 483 animals from 20 local breeds (n = 466) and 2 commercial lines (n = 17) were considered and evaluated for shank and eggshell color. All animals were genotyped using the Affymetrix Axiom 600 K Chicken Genotyping Array. As regards shank color, the most interesting locus was detected on chromosome Z, close to the TYRP1 gene, known to play a key role in avian pigmentation. Additionally, several novel loci and genes associated with shank pigmentation, skin pigmentation, UV protection, and melanocyte regulation were identified (e.g., MTAP, CDKN2A, CDKN2B). In eggshell, fewer significant loci were identified, including SLC7A11 and MITF on chromosomes 4 and 12, respectively, associated with melanocyte processes and pigment synthesis. This comprehensive study shed light on the genetic architecture underlying shank and eggshell color in Italian native chicken breeds, contributing to a better understanding of this phenomenon which plays a role in breed identification and conservation, and has ecological and economic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Perini
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Legnaro, Padua 35020, Italy
| | - Filippo Cendron
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Legnaro, Padua 35020, Italy.
| | - Emiliano Lasagna
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia 06121, Italy
| | - Martino Cassandro
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Legnaro, Padua 35020, Italy
| | - Mauro Penasa
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Legnaro, Padua 35020, Italy
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Li Z, Xu C, Yu H, Kong L, Liu S, Li Q. Effects of Dietary Cystine and Tyrosine Supplementation on Melanin Synthesis in the Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas). MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 25:537-547. [PMID: 37369882 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-023-10223-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Melanogenesis is a multistep process to produce melanin for dark pigmentation in skin coloration. Previous studies in vertebrates demonstrated that cystine and tyrosine amino acids are involved in the melanin synthesis. However, very little is known about the melanogenesis in bivalve. In this study, cystine supplementation for 30 days significantly upregulated the expression of CgB-aat1, CgCbs and CgTyr and pheomelanin content in the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) results revealed more melanosomes in the connective tissue and melanin granules were secreted in epithelium of mantle. In contrast, tyrosine supplementation had no clear effect on melanogenesis except the gene expression changes of CgB-aat1 and CgCbs. In addition, prolonged supplementation of cystine or tyrosine for 60 days had a negative impact on melanogenesis. Indeed, after 60 days, expression of most of the melanin synthesis-related genes under study was decreased, and melanin content was significantly reduced, indicating that cystine and tyrosine might inhibit production of eumelanin and pheomelanin, respectively. In addition, in vitro analysis using primary cell culture from mantle tissue indicated that incubation with cystine, tyrosine, or B-AAT1 polypeptide, CBS/TYR recombinant proteins induced the increase of CgB-aat1 and CgCbs expression in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting the presence of a regulatory network in response to cystine and tyrosine amino acids intakes in pheomelanin synthesis-related gene expression. Taken together, these data indicate that cystine-CgB-aat1-CgCbs-CgTyr axis is a potential regulator of the pheomelanin biosynthesis pathway, and thus plays an important role in the mantle pigmentation in C. gigas. This work provides a new clue for selective cultivation of oyster strains with specific shell colors in bivalve breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuanzhuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Chengxun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Hong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Lingfeng Kong
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Shikai Liu
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Qi Li
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China.
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3
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Li Z, Hu B, Du L, Hou C, Li Q. Involvement of B-aat1 and Cbs in regulating mantle pigmentation in the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas). Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:377-387. [PMID: 36335521 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-08037-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Shell color formation is an important physiological process in bivalves, the molecular genetic basis has potential application in bivalve aquaculture, but there is still remaining unclear about this issue. The cystine/glutamate transporter (Slc7a11) and cystathionine beta-synthase (Cbs) are integral genes in pheomelanin synthesis pathway, which is vital to skin pigmentation. METHODS AND RESULTS Here, the sequences of b (0, +) -type amino acid transporter 1 (B-aat1) and Cbs in Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) (CgB-aat1, CgCbs) were characterized. Phylogenetically, the deduced amino acid sequences of CgB-aat1 and CgCbs both possessed conserved features. Genes were both ubiquitously expressed in six tested tissues with more abundant expression level in central mantle. Besides, the polyclonal antibodies of CgB-aat1, CgCbs, CgTyr, and CgTyrp2 were successfully prepared. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that CgB-aat1 and CgCbs proteins were both expressed in gill rudiments of eyed-larvae and concentrated mainly in cytoplasm of epithelial cell and nerve axons in mantle. Additionally, after CgB-aat1 or CgCbs silencing, expressions at mRNA and protein levels of CgB-aat1 and CgCbs involved in pheomelanin synthesis were significantly suppressed, and CgTyr, CgTyrp1 and CgTyrp2 related to eumelanin synthesis were also down-regulated but no apparent differences, respectively. Moreover, micrographic examination found less brown-granules at mantle edge in CgB-aat1 interference group. CONCLUSION These results implied that pheomelanin synthesis was possible induced by CgB-aat1-CgTyr-CgCbs axis, and it played an essential role on mantle pigmentation in the oysters. These findings provide the useful genetic knowledge and enrich the physiological information for the shell color formation in bivalve aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuanzhuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Biyang Hu
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Lijie Du
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Chunhao Hou
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Qi Li
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China. .,Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China.
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Kulikova IV. Molecular Mechanisms and Gene Regulation of Melanic Plumage Coloration in Birds. RUSS J GENET+ 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s102279542108007x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Ren S, Lyu G, Irwin DM, Liu X, Feng C, Luo R, Zhang J, Sun Y, Shang S, Zhang S, Wang Z. Pooled Sequencing Analysis of Geese ( Anser cygnoides) Reveals Genomic Variations Associated With Feather Color. Front Genet 2021; 12:650013. [PMID: 34220935 PMCID: PMC8249929 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.650013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
During the domestication of the goose a change in its feather color took place, however, the molecular mechanisms responsible for this change are not completely understood. Here, we performed whole-genome resequencing on three pooled samples of geese (feral and domestic geese), with two distinct feather colors, to identify genes that might regulate feather color. We identified around 8 million SNPs within each of the three pools and validated allele frequencies for a subset of these SNPs using PCR and Sanger sequencing. Several genomic regions with signatures of differential selection were found when we compared the gray and white feather color populations using the FST and Hp approaches. When we combined previous functional studies with our genomic analyses we identified 26 genes (KITLG, MITF, TYRO3, KIT, AP3B1, SMARCA2, ROR2, CSNK1G3, CCDC112, VAMP7, SLC16A2, LOC106047519, RLIM, KIAA2022, ST8SIA4, LOC106044163, TRPM6, TICAM2, LOC106038556, LOC106038575, LOC106038574, LOC106038594, LOC106038573, LOC106038604, LOC106047489, and LOC106047492) that potentially regulate feather color in geese. These results substantially expand the catalog of potential feather color regulators in geese and provide a basis for further studies on domestication and avian feather coloration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Ren
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China.,College of Food Science, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Guangqi Lyu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - David M Irwin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Xin Liu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chunyu Feng
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Runhong Luo
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Junpeng Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yongfeng Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Songyang Shang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shuyi Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
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Karell P, Kohonen K, Koskenpato K. Specialist predation covaries with colour polymorphism in tawny owls. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-02986-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Understanding intraspecific phenotypic variation in prey specialisation can help to predict how long-term changes in prey availability affect the viability of these phenotypes and their persistence. Generalists are favoured when the main food resources are unpredictable compared to specialists, which track the availability of the main prey and are more vulnerable to changes in the main food resource. Intraspecific heritable melanin-based colour polymorphism is considered to reflect adaptations to different environments. We studied colour morph-specific diet specialisation in a generalist predator, tawny owl (Strix aluco), during offspring food provisioning in relation to mammal prey density. We hypothesised that the grey morph, with higher fitness than the brown in Northern boreal conditions, is more specialised in mammalian prey than the brown morph, which in turn has higher fitness than the grey in the temperate zone. We found a higher diversity of prey delivered to the nest by brown fathers compared to grey ones, which also depended on the overall mammalian prey availability. Brown fathers provided proportionally fewer mammalian prey than grey in poor, but not in favourable mammal prey years. Our results suggest that the brown morph is more generalistic and reacts more strongly to variations in food supply than the grey morph, which may be a beneficial strategy in an unpredictable environment caused by environmental degradation.
Significance statement
Diet choice of a species may vary depending on fluctuations in the abundance of their food resource, but also within a population, there can be adaptations to use different food resources. The tawny owl exhibits a grey and a reddish-brown colour morph and is considered a generalist predator eating both mammal and bird prey. We find that the diet of the reddish-brown morph is more diverse than that of the grey. When the tawny owls’ main prey, small mammals, are abundant both colour morphs prey on mammals, but in years with less small mammals, the reddish-brown morph is more prone of switching to small bird predation than the grey. The generalist strategy of the brown morph is likely to be more favourable than a stricter specialisation in small mammals of the grey under recently reoccurring irregularities in small mammal dynamics.
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Mauro AA, Ghalambor CK. Trade-offs, Pleiotropy, and Shared Molecular Pathways: A Unified View of Constraints on Adaptation. Integr Comp Biol 2020; 60:332-347. [DOI: 10.1093/icb/icaa056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Synopsis
The concept of trade-offs permeates our thinking about adaptive evolution because they are exhibited at every level of biological organization, from molecular and cellular processes to organismal and ecological functions. Trade-offs inevitably arise because different traits do not occur in isolation, but instead are imbedded within complex, integrated systems that make up whole organisms. The genetic and mechanistic underpinning of trade-offs can be found in the pleiotropic nodes that occur in the biological pathways shared between traits. Yet, often trade-offs are only understood as statistical correlations, limiting the ability to evaluate the interplay between how selection and constraint interact during adaptive evolution. Here, we first review the classic paradigms in which physiologists and evolutionary biologists have studied trade-offs and highlight the ways in which network and molecular pathway approaches unify these paradigms. We discuss how these approaches allow researchers to evaluate why trade-offs arise and how selection can act to overcome trait correlations and evolutionary constraints. We argue that understanding how the conserved molecular pathways are shared between different traits and functions provides a conceptual framework for evolutionary biologists, physiologists, and molecular biologists to meaningfully work together toward the goal of understanding why correlations and trade-offs occur between traits. We briefly highlight the melanocortin system and the hormonal control of osmoregulation as two case studies where an understanding of shared molecular pathways reveals why trade-offs occur between seemingly unrelated traits. While we recognize that applying such approaches poses challenges and limitations particularly in the context of natural populations, we advocate for the view that focusing on the biological pathways responsible for trade-offs provides a unified conceptual context accessible to a broad range of integrative biologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A Mauro
- Department of Biology and Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Cameron K Ghalambor
- Department of Biology and Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
- Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
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Molecular evolution of the proopiomelanocortin system in Barn owl species. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231163. [PMID: 32369484 PMCID: PMC7199972 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Examination of genetic polymorphisms in outbred wild-living species provides insights into the evolution of complex systems. In higher vertebrates, the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) precursor gives rise to α-, β-, and γ-melanocyte-stimulating hormones (MSH), which are involved in numerous physiological aspects. Genetic defects in POMC are linked to metabolic disorders in humans and animals. In the present study, we undertook an evolutionary genetic approach complemented with biochemistry to investigate the functional consequences of genetic polymorphisms in the POMC system of free-living outbred barn owl species (family Tytonidae) at the molecular level. Our phylogenetic studies revealed a striking correlation between a loss-of-function H9P mutation in the β-MSH receptor-binding motif and an extension of a poly-serine stretch in γ3-MSH to ≥7 residues that arose in the barn owl group 6–8 MYA ago. We found that extension of the poly-serine stretches in the γ-MSH locus affects POMC precursor processing, increasing γ3-MSH production at the expense of γ2-MSH and resulting in an overall reduction of γ-MSH signaling, which may be part of a negative feedback mechanism. Extension of the γ3-MSH poly-serine stretches ≥7 further markedly increases peptide hormone stability in plasma, which is conserved in humans, and is likely relevant to its endocrine function. In sum, our phylogenetic analysis of POMC in wild living owls uncovered a H9P β-MSH mutation subsequent to serine extension in γ3-MSH to 7 residues, which was then followed by further serine extension. The linked MSH mutations highlight the genetic plasticity enabled by the modular design of the POMC gene.
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Huang T, Pu Y, Song C, Sheng Z, Hu X. A quantitative trait locus on chromosome 2 was identified that accounts for a substantial proportion of phenotypic variance of the yellow plumage color in chicken. Poult Sci 2020; 99:2902-2910. [PMID: 32475423 PMCID: PMC7597730 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chicken plumage color is an important economical trait in poultry breeding, as triple-yellow indigenous broilers are preferred over western commercial broilers in the Chinese market. However, the studies on the pigmentation of plumage coloration are relatively rare at present. Here, we performed a genome-wide mapping study on an F2 intercross, whose 2 founders were one hybrid commercial line “High Quality chicken Line A” that originated from the Anak red chicken and one indigenous line “Huiyang Beard” chicken that is a classical “triple-yellow” Chinese indigenous breed. Moreover, we used an automatic colorimeter that can quantitatively assess the colorations in L∗, a∗, and b∗ values. One major quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 2 was thus identified by both genome-wide association and linkage analyses, which could explain 10 to 20% of the total phenotypic variance of the b∗ measurements of the back plumage color. Using linkage analysis, 2 additional QTL on chromosome 1 and 20 were also found to be significantly associated with the plumage coloration in this cross. With additional samples from Anak red and Huiyang Beard chickens as well as pooled resequencing data from the 2 founders of this cross, we then further narrowed down the QTL regions and identified several candidate genes, such as CABLES1, CHST11, BCL2L1, and CHD22. As the effects of QTL found in this study were substantial, quantitatively measuring the coloration rather than the descriptive measurements provides stronger statistical power for the analyses. In addition, this major QTL on chromosome 2 that was associated with feather pigmentation at the genome-wide level will facilitate the future chicken breeding for yellow plumage color. In conclusions, we mapped 3 associated QTL on chromosome 1, 2, and 20. The candidate genes identified in this study shed light in the genetic basis of yellow plumage color in chicken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Huang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Science, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China; Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yuejin Pu
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Science, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Chi Song
- State Key Laboratory for Agro-Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zheya Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
| | - Xiaoxiang Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Agro-Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
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Koskenpato K, Lehikoinen A, Lindstedt C, Karell P. Gray plumage color is more cryptic than brown in snowy landscapes in a resident color polymorphic bird. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:1751-1761. [PMID: 32128114 PMCID: PMC7042677 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Camouflage may promote fitness of given phenotypes in different environments. The tawny owl (Strix aluco) is a color polymorphic species with a gray and brown morph resident in the Western Palearctic. A strong selection pressure against the brown morph during snowy and cold winters has been documented earlier, but the selection mechanisms remain unresolved. Here, we hypothesize that selection favors the gray morph because it is better camouflaged against predators and mobbers in snowy conditions compared to the brown one. We conducted an online citizen science experiment where volunteers were asked to locate a gray or a brown tawny owl specimen from pictures taken in snowy and snowless landscapes. Our results show that the gray morph in snowy landscapes is the hardest to detect whereas the brown morph in snowy landscapes is the easiest to detect. With an avian vision model, we show that, similar to human perceivers, the brown morph is more conspicuous than the gray against coniferous tree trunks for a mobbing passerine. We suggest that with better camouflage, the gray morph may avoid mobbers and predators more efficiently than the brown morph and thus survive better in snowy environments. As winters are getting milder and shorter in the species range, the selection periods against brown coloration may eventually disappear or shift poleward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Koskenpato
- The Helsinki Lab of OrnithologyFinnish Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Bioeconomy Research TeamNovia University of Applied SciencesEkenäsFinland
| | - Aleksi Lehikoinen
- The Helsinki Lab of OrnithologyFinnish Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Carita Lindstedt
- Department of Biological and Environmental SciencesCentre of Excellence in Biological InteractionsUniversity of JyväskyläJyväskyläFinland
| | - Patrik Karell
- Bioeconomy Research TeamNovia University of Applied SciencesEkenäsFinland
- Department of BiologyLund UniversityLundSweden
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Seddon RJ, Hews DK. Melanization, α-melanocyte stimulating hormone and steroid hormones in male western fence lizards from nine populations. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 285:113287. [PMID: 31563645 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Hormones can mediate suites of correlated traits. Melanocortins regulate melanin synthesis and elements of the melanocortin system can directly, and indirectly, affect a number of other traits, such as stress reactivity. Trait correlations within the melanocortin system have been studied mainly in birds and mammals but less so in reptiles. We examined adult male western fence lizards (Sceloporus occidentalis) and if melanization was correlated with plasma levels of three hormones, including peptide hormone α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), testosterone and corticosterone, and ectoparasite loads. This lizard is darker at higher elevations in California, and we compared five high-elevation and four low-elevation populations during comparable periods of the breeding season at each site. We first validated use of an α-MSH assay kit with lizard plasma. Since Anolis carolinensis is one of the few species with published values for α-MSH plasma levels, we assayed both Anolis and Sceloporus plasma and compared hormone values to those we generated for Anolis to the publish values. We also evaluated effects of different methods of storing spiked plasma pools on resulting α-MSH concentrations. Plasma levels of α-MSH did not differ significantly, but some populations differed significantly in mean corticosterone and mean testosterone. Combining all individuals from the nine populations, we found that individual variation in α-MSH was not associated with individual variation in melanization, but levels of α-MSH were positively associated with plasma testosterone and negatively associated with corticosterone. The lack of association between individual levels of melanization and expression of most other traits differs from a growing number of within-population studies of melanization, and we discuss what differences in physiological mechanisms could produce different hypothetical patterns. Circulating levels of -MSH are only one element of the melanocortin system; in situ synthesis of α-MSH by the skin and the diversity of melanocortin receptors could also contribute to variation in traits mediated by the melanocortin system and should be examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Seddon
- Department of Biology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA.
| | - Diana K Hews
- Department of Biology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA.
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Integrated Analysis of mRNA Expression, CpG Island Methylation, and Polymorphisms in the MITF Gene in Ducks ( Anas platyrhynchos). BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:8512467. [PMID: 31662999 PMCID: PMC6778931 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8512467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is a key regulator for the development and function of melanocytes in skin, eye, and plumage pigmentations. Thus, the MITF was selected as a candidate gene associated with plumage coloration in ducks. This study analyzed the mRNA expression, promoter methylation, and polymorphisms in the MITF gene in ducks with different plumage colors (Putian Black, Putian White, Liancheng White, and Longsheng Jade-green). No expression of the MITF melanin-specific isoform (MITF-M) was detected in white feather bulbs. By contrast, the mRNA expression levels of MITF-M were high in black feather bulbs. Bioinformatics analysis showed that two CpG islands were present in the promoter region of the MITF gene. The methylation level of the second CpG island was significantly lower in black feather bulbs than in white feather bulbs. However, the methylation level of the first CpG island was not different among the feather bulbs with various colors except Liancheng White feather bulbs. The methylation status of the whole CpG island significantly and negatively correlated with the mRNA expression of MITF-M (P < 0.05). Furthermore, four novel SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) were identified in the 5′UTR, exon 4, intron 7, and intron 8 of the MITF gene. Allele T in g.39807T>G and allele G in g.40862G>A were the predominant alleles only found in Putian White, whereas the variant A allele in g.32813G>A exhibited a high allele frequency in Liancheng White. Collectively, these results contributed to the understanding of the function of the MITF gene in duck plumage coloration.
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Wang LM, Bu HY, Song FB, Zhu WB, Fu JJ, Dong ZJ. Characterization and functional analysis of slc7a11 gene, involved in skin color differentiation in the red tilapia. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2019; 236:110529. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.110529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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14
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McLean CA, Lutz A, Rankin KJ, Elliott A, Moussalli A, Stuart-Fox D. Red carotenoids and associated gene expression explain colour variation in frillneck lizards. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20191172. [PMID: 31311479 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.1172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
A long-standing hypothesis in evolutionary ecology is that red-orange ornamental colours reliably signal individual quality owing to limited dietary availability of carotenoids and metabolic costs associated with their production, such as the bioconversion of dietary yellow carotenoids to red ketocarotenoids. However, in ectothermic vertebrates, these colours can also be produced by self-synthesized pteridine pigments. As a consequence, the relative ratio of pigment types and their biochemical and genetic basis have implications for the costs and information content of colour signals; yet they remain poorly known in most taxonomic groups. We tested whether red- and yellow-frilled populations of the frillneck lizard, Chlamydosaurus kingii, differ in the ratio of different biochemical classes of carotenoid and pteridine pigments, and examined associated differences in gene expression. We found that, unlike other squamate reptiles, red hues derive from a higher proportion of ketocarotenoids relative to both dietary yellow carotenoids and to pteridines. Whereas red frill skin showed higher expression of several genes associated with carotenoid metabolism, yellow frill skin showed higher expression of genes associated with steroid hormones. Based on the different mechanisms underlying red and yellow signals, we hypothesize that frill colour conveys different information in the two populations. More generally, the data expand our knowledge of the genetic and biochemical basis of colour signals in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire A McLean
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.,Sciences Department, Museums Victoria, Carlton Gardens, Victoria 3053, Australia
| | - Adrian Lutz
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.,Metabolomics Australia, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Katrina J Rankin
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Adam Elliott
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Adnan Moussalli
- Sciences Department, Museums Victoria, Carlton Gardens, Victoria 3053, Australia
| | - Devi Stuart-Fox
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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15
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Peng Y, Wang Y, Wang R, Geng L, Ma R, Zhang C, Liu Z, Gong Y, Li J, Li X. Exploring differentially expressed genes associated with coat color in goat skin using RNA-seq. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjas-2018-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Fur color in domestic goats is an important, genetically determined characteristic that is associated with economic value. This study was designed to perform a comprehensive expression profiling of genes expressed in the skin tissues from Laiwu Black goat and Lubei White goat. Comparisons of black and white goat skin transcriptomes revealed 102 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 38 were upregulated and 64 downregulated in black skin compared with white skin. Among the DEGs, we identified six genes involved in pigmentation, including agouti signaling protein (ASIP), CAMP responsive element binding protein 3-like 1 (CREB3L1), dopachrome tautomerase (DCT), premelanosome protein (PMEL), transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 1 (TRPM1), and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1). Notably, there were no significant differences in the expression of melanocortin 1 receptor, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, tyrosinase, and KIT proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase between the black and white skin samples, whereas ASIP expression was detected only in white skin. PMEL, TRPM1, TYRP1, and DCT showed higher expression in black goat skin, but ASIP and CREB3L1 had higher expression in white goat skin. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction results for PMEL, TRPM1, DCT, TYRP1, and CREB3L1 expression were consistent with those for RNA-seq. These results will expand our understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms of skin physiology and melanogenesis in goats, and provide a foundation for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongdong Peng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, Hebei 066004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yaqi Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, Hebei 066004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruining Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, Hebei 066004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liying Geng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Agricultural University of Hebei Province, Baoding, Hebei 071001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ruxue Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, Hebei 066004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chuansheng Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, Hebei 066004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhengzhu Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, Hebei 066004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuanfang Gong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, Hebei 066004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingshi Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Agricultural University of Hebei Province, Baoding, Hebei 071001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xianglong Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, Hebei 066004, People’s Republic of China
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16
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Dipineto L, Raia P, Varriale L, Borrelli L, Botta V, Serio C, Capasso M, Rinaldi L. Bacteria and parasites in Podarcis sicula and P. sicula klemmerii. BMC Vet Res 2018; 14:392. [PMID: 30526580 PMCID: PMC6288892 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1708-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background New epidemiological data on bacterial and parasitic infections in 24 Italian wall lizards, namely Podarcis sicula (mainland population) and P. sicula klemmerii (insular population) in southern Italy were provided. To achieve this goal, samples were collected from individuals belonging to the two populations and analysed by microbiological and parasitological methods. Results A wide range of bacteria (e.g. Pantoea spp., Citrobacter spp., Morganella spp., Pseudomonas, Enterobacter spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Escherichia coli) and parasites (e.g. Ophionyssus natricis, coccidia, Dicrocoelidae) were detected in both P. sicula and P. sicula klemmerii individuals. Insular population presented similar bacterial and parasitic diversity to its mainland counterpart. Ampicillin was the antimicrobial with the highest resistance rate. Conclusion This study highlighted various bacteria and parasites, some of them potentially zoonotic. Further studies are needed to better understand the epidemiology and transmission routes of these pathogens along with their impact on the welfare and behaviour of Italian wall lizards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovico Dipineto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Pasquale Raia
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e delle Risorse, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorena Varriale
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Borrelli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Vittorio Botta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Carmela Serio
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e delle Risorse, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Capasso
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
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17
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Freeman-Gallant CR, Taff CC. Age and infection history are revealed by different ornaments in a warbler. Oecologia 2018; 188:1025-1036. [PMID: 30291422 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-018-4268-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Female preference for older or more disease-resistant males are both possible outcomes of parasite-mediated sexual selection, but the extent to which infection alters the development of ornaments to yield signals of male age and health has rarely been explored. In a longitudinal study of 61 male common yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas), age-related increases in the size of the melanin-based mask and carotenoid-based bib were not correlated among young males, likely owing to differences in how blood parasites affect ornament development. Infection with trypanosomes and hemosporidians in a male's first breeding season was associated with slower growth of the mask; uninfected males attained large masks in their second breeding season, while infected males attained large masks in their third breeding season. In contrast, the bib size of males increased every year regardless of infection. As a consequence, different populations of males are identified by the largest ornaments-older males in the case of bib and a combination of older males and young, uninfected males in the case of mask. Although mask is thus the more informative trait with respect to male health, females prefer large bibs in our population. If infection is opportunistic, young, uninfected males may not possess good genes for parasite resistance but simply good luck, and it may benefit females to prefer older males who are more likely to have withstood prior episodes of selection. A "pure" signal of age may be a more reliable signal of resistance to parasites than an ornament whose expression is modulated by infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Conor C Taff
- Laboratory of Ornithology, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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18
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San-Jose LM, Roulin A. Toward Understanding the Repeated Occurrence of Associations between Melanin-Based Coloration and Multiple Phenotypes. Am Nat 2018; 192:111-130. [PMID: 30016163 DOI: 10.1086/698010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Melanin is the most widespread pigment in organisms. Melanin-based coloration has been repeatedly observed to be associated with the same traits and in the same direction in different vertebrate and insect species. However, whether any factors that are common to different taxa account for the repeated evolution of melanin-phenotype associations remains unclear. We propose to approach this question from the perspective of convergent and parallel evolution to clarify to what extent different species have evolved the same associations owing to a shared genetic basis and being subjected to similar selective pressures. Our current understanding of the genetic basis of melanin-phenotype associations allows for both convergent and parallel evolution, but this understanding is still limited. Further research is needed to clarify the generality and interdependencies of the different proposed mechanisms (supergenes, pleiotropy based on hormones, or neural crest cells). The general ecological scenarios whereby melanin-based coloration is under selection-protection from ultraviolet radiation, thermoregulation in cold environments, or as a signal of social status-offer a good opportunity to study how melanin-phenotype associations evolve. Reviewing these scenarios shows that some traits associated with melanin-based coloration might be selected together with coloration by also favoring adaptation but that other associated traits might impede adaptation, which may be indicative of genetic constraints. We therefore encourage further research on the relative roles that selection and genetic constraints play in shaping multiple melanin-phenotype associations. Placed into a phylogenetic context, this will help clarify to what extent these associations result from convergent or parallel evolutionary processes and why melanin-phenotype associations are so common across the tree of life.
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19
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Nigenda‐Morales SF, Hu Y, Beasley JC, Ruiz‐Piña HA, Valenzuela‐Galván D, Wayne RK. Transcriptomic analysis of skin pigmentation variation in the Virginia opossum (
Didelphis virginiana
). Mol Ecol 2018; 27:2680-2697. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.14712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio F. Nigenda‐Morales
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles California
| | - Yibo Hu
- Key Lab of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Chaoyang, Beijing China
| | - James C. Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology Lab Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Georgia Aiken South Carolina
| | - Hugo A. Ruiz‐Piña
- Centro de Investigaciones Regionales “Dr. Hideyo Noguchi” Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán Mérida Yucatán Mexico
| | - David Valenzuela‐Galván
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Conservación Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos Cuernavaca Morelos Mexico
| | - Robert K. Wayne
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles California
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20
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Karell P, Bensch S, Ahola K, Asghar M. Pale and dark morphs of tawny owls show different patterns of telomere dynamics in relation to disease status. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2017.1127. [PMID: 28747482 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.1127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasites are expected to exert long-term costs on host fecundity and longevity. Understanding the consequences of heritable polymorphic variation in disease defence in wild populations is essential in order to predict evolutionary responses to changes in disease risk. Telomeres have been found to shorten faster in malaria-diseased individuals compared with healthy ones with negative effects on longevity and thereby fitness. Here, we study the impact of haemosporidian blood parasites on telomere dynamics in tawny owls, which display a highly heritable plumage colour polymorphism. Previously, it has been shown that blood parasites have morph-specific impact on body mass maintenance. Here, we show that telomeres shortened faster in individuals with shorter breeding lifespan. Telomere length was negatively associated with the degree of pheomelanic brown coloration and shorter in infected than uninfected individuals. The rate of telomere shortening between breeding seasons was faster in darker pheomelanic individuals and suppression of parasite intensity between seasons was associated with faster telomere shortening in the paler individuals but not in darker ones. We propose that morph-specific physiological profiles cause differential telomere shortening and that this is likely to be a mechanism involved in previously documented environment-driven survival selection against the pheomelanic morph in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrik Karell
- Bioeconomy Research Team, Novia University of Applied Sciences, Raseborgsvägen 9, 10600 Ekenäs, Finland .,Environmental and Marine Biology, Department of Biosciences, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.,Department of Biology, Lund University, Ecology Building, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Staffan Bensch
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Ecology Building, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Kari Ahola
- Tornihaukantie 8D 72, 02620 Espoo, Finland
| | - Muhammad Asghar
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institute, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
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21
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Dijkstra PD, Maguire SM, Harris RM, Rodriguez AA, DeAngelis RS, Flores SA, Hofmann HA. The melanocortin system regulates body pigmentation and social behaviour in a colour polymorphic cichlid fish. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2016.2838. [PMID: 28356453 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.2838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The melanocortin system is a neuroendocrine system that regulates a range of physiological and behavioural processes. We examined the extent to which the melanocortin system simultaneously regulates colour and behaviour in the cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni We found that yellow males are more aggressive than blue males, in line with previous studies. We then found that exogenous α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) increases yellowness of the body and dispersal of xanthophore pigments in both morphs. However, α-MSH had a morph-specific effect on aggression, with only blue males showing an increase in the rate of aggression. Exogenous agouti signalling peptide (ASIP), a melanocortin antagonist, did not affect coloration but reduced the rate of aggression in both colour morphs. Blue males had higher cortisol levels than yellow males. Neural gene expression of melanocortin receptors (mcr) and ligands was not differentially regulated between colour morphs. In the skin, however, mc1r and pro-opiomelanocortin (pomc) β were upregulated in blue males, while asip 1 was upregulated in yellow males. The effects of α-MSH on behaviour and body coloration, combined with morph-specific regulation of the stress response and the melanocortin system, suggest that the melanocortin system contributes to the polymorphism in behaviour and coloration in A. burtoni.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter D Dijkstra
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA .,Behavioural Biology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, USA
| | - Sean M Maguire
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Rayna M Harris
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.,Institute for Cellular & Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Agosto A Rodriguez
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Ross S DeAngelis
- Program for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology, Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 405 N. Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Stephanie A Flores
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Hans A Hofmann
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.,Institute for Cellular & Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.,Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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22
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Yang L, Du X, Wei S, Gu L, Li N, Gong Y, Li S. Genome-wide association analysis identifies potential regulatory genes for eumelanin pigmentation in chicken plumage. Anim Genet 2017. [PMID: 28639704 DOI: 10.1111/age.12573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Plumage color in chicken is determined by the proportion of eumelanin and pheomelanin pigmentation. As the main ingredient in plumage melanin, eumelanin plays a key role in the dark black, brown and grey coloration. However, very few studies have been performed to identify the related genes and mutations on a genome-wide scale. Herein, a resource family consisting of one backcross population and two F2 cross populations between a black roster and Yukou Brown I parent stockbreed was constructed for identification of genes related to eumelanin pigmentation. Chickens with eumelanin in their plumage were classified as the case group, and the rest were considered the control group. A genome-wide association study of this phenotype and genotypes using Affymetrix 600K HD SNP arrays in this F2 family revealed 13 significantly associated SNPs and in 10 separate genes on chromosomes 1, 2, 3 and 5. Based on previous studies in model species, we inferred that genes, including NUAK family kinase 1 (NUAK1) and sonic hedgehog (SHH), may play roles in the development of neural crest cells or melanoblasts during the embryonic period, which may also affect the eumelanin pigmentation. Our results facilitate the understanding of the genetic basis of eumelanin pigmentation in chicken plumage.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Yang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430070, China.,Collage of Life Science, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, 528231, China
| | - X Du
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430070, China
| | - S Wei
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430070, China
| | - L Gu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430070, China
| | - N Li
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430070, China
| | - Y Gong
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430070, China
| | - S Li
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430070, China
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23
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San-Jose LM, Huyghe K, Schuerch J, Fitze PS. More melanized males bite stronger but run slower: potential performance trade-offs related to melanin-based coloration. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blx045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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24
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McLean CA, Lutz A, Rankin KJ, Stuart-Fox D, Moussalli A. Revealing the Biochemical and Genetic Basis of Color Variation in a Polymorphic Lizard. Mol Biol Evol 2017; 34:1924-1935. [DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msx136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
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25
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Arai E, Hasegawa M, Makino T, Hagino A, Sakai Y, Ohtsuki H, Wakamatsu K, Kawata M. Physiological conditions and genetic controls of phaeomelanin pigmentation in nestling barn swallows. Behav Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arx012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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26
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San-Jose LM, Ducrest AL, Ducret V, Simon C, Richter H, Wakamatsu K, Roulin A. MC1R variants affect the expression of melanocortin and melanogenic genes and the association between melanocortin genes and coloration. Mol Ecol 2016; 26:259-276. [PMID: 27664794 DOI: 10.1111/mec.13861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene influences coloration by altering the expression of genes acting downstream in the melanin synthesis. MC1R belongs to the melanocortin system, a genetic network coding for the ligands that regulate MC1R and other melanocortin receptors controlling different physiological and behavioural traits. The impact of MC1R variants on these regulatory melanocortin genes was never considered, even though MC1R mutations could alter the influence of these genes on coloration (e.g. by decreasing MC1R response to melanocortin ligands). Using barn owl growing feathers, we investigated the differences between MC1R genotypes in the (co)expression of six melanocortin and nine melanogenic-related genes and in the association between melanocortin gene expression and phenotype (feather pheomelanin content). Compared to the MC1R rufous allele, responsible for reddish coloration, the white allele was not only associated with an expected lower expression of melanogenic-related genes (TYR, TYRP1, OCA2, SLC45A2, KIT, DCT) but also with a lower MC1R expression and a higher expression of ASIP, the MC1R antagonist. More importantly, the expression of PCSK2, responsible for the maturation of the MC1R agonist, α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, was positively related to pheomelanin content in MC1R white homozygotes but not in individuals carrying the MC1R rufous allele. These findings indicate that MC1R mutations not only alter the expression of melanogenic-related genes but also the association between coloration and the expression of melanocortin genes upstream of MC1R. This suggests that MC1R mutations can modulate the regulation of coloration by the pleiotropic melanocortin genes, potentially decoupling the often-observed associations between coloration and other phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M San-Jose
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Biophore Building, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Lyse Ducrest
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Biophore Building, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Valérie Ducret
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Biophore Building, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Céline Simon
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Biophore Building, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hannes Richter
- Centre for Integrative Genomics, Genomic Technologies Facility, University of Lausanne, Genopode Building, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kazumasa Wakamatsu
- Department of Chemistry, Fujita Health University School of Health Sciences, Toyoake, Aichi, 470-1192, Japan
| | - Alexandre Roulin
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Biophore Building, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
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27
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Costanzo A, Parolini M, Bazzi G, Khoriauli L, Santagostino M, Possenti CD, Romano A, Nergadze SG, Rubolini D, Giulotto E, Saino N. Brood size, telomere length, and parent-offspring color signaling in barn swallows. Behav Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arw147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
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28
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Emaresi G, Henry I, Gonzalez E, Roulin A, Bize P. Sex- and melanism-specific variations in the oxidative status of adult tawny owls in response to manipulated reproductive effort. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 219:73-9. [PMID: 26567343 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.128959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress, determined by the balance between the production of damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defences, is hypothesized to play an important role in shaping the cost of reproduction and life history trade-offs. To test this hypothesis, we manipulated reproductive effort in 94 breeding pairs of tawny owls (Strix aluco) to investigate the sex- and melanism-specific effects on markers of oxidative stress in red blood cells (RBCs). This colour polymorphic bird species shows sex-specific division of labour and melanism-specific history strategies. Brood sizes at hatching were experimentally enlarged or reduced to increase or decrease reproductive effort, respectively. We obtained an integrative measure of the oxidative balance by measuring ROS production by RBCs, intracellular antioxidant glutathione levels and membrane resistance to ROS. We found that light melanic males (the sex undertaking offspring food provisioning) produced more ROS than darker conspecifics, but only when rearing an enlarged brood. In both sexes, light melanic individuals had also a larger pool of intracellular antioxidant glutathione than darker owls under relaxed reproductive conditions (i.e. reduced brood), but not when investing substantial effort in current reproduction (enlarged brood). Finally, resistance to oxidative stress was differently affected by the brood size manipulation experiment in males and females independently of their plumage coloration. Altogether, our results support the hypothesis that reproductive effort can alter the oxidative balance in a sex- and colour-specific way. This further emphasizes the close link between melanin-based coloration and life history strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Emaresi
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Henry
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Esther Gonzalez
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Roulin
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Bize
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK
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Dijkstra PD, Pierotti ME, Seehausen O, Metcalfe NB. Metabolism, oxidative stress and territorial behaviour in a female colour polymorphic cichlid fish. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-015-2028-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Hõrak P, Männiste M. Viability selection affects black but not yellow plumage colour in greenfinches. Oecologia 2015; 180:23-32. [PMID: 26386701 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-015-3451-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Much of the debate surrounding the selective forces responsible for the expression of conspicuous plumage colouration is centred on the question of precisely which individual qualities are signalled by carotenoid- and melanin-based pigments. To examine this and other related issues, we performed viability selection analyses in wild-caught captive male greenfinches (Carduelis chloris) in Estonia during winters between 2003 and 2014. Based on our measurements, birds with a darker black eumelanin-based colouration of tail feathers survived better than those whose tail feathers had a paler black colouration. The carotenoid-based yellow colouration of the same feathers was not associated with mortality in captivity and showed much less between-year variation in the field than the black colouration. Between year-variation in the black (but not yellow) colouration of feathers was parallel in wild-grown feathers (on birds in the wild) and laboratory-grown ones (on birds held temporarily in captivity). Taken together, these findings imply that eumelanotic colouration in greenfinches is currently under selection and suggest the presence of sufficient genetic variation for a rapid response to selection. In particular, tail feathers have become darker black since the emergence of avian trichomonosis, which is known to selectively kill paler individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peeter Hõrak
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, Tartu University, Vanemuise 46, 51014, Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Marju Männiste
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, Tartu University, Vanemuise 46, 51014, Tartu, Estonia
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Poelstra JW, Vijay N, Hoeppner MP, Wolf JBW. Transcriptomics of colour patterning and coloration shifts in crows. Mol Ecol 2015; 24:4617-28. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.13353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2015] [Revised: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- J. W. Poelstra
- Department of Evolutionary Biology; Evolutionary Biology Centre; Uppsala University; Norbyvägen 18D 752 36 Uppsala Sweden
| | - N. Vijay
- Department of Evolutionary Biology; Evolutionary Biology Centre; Uppsala University; Norbyvägen 18D 752 36 Uppsala Sweden
| | - M. P. Hoeppner
- Bioinformatics Infrastructure for Life Sciences (BILS); Linköpings Universitet Victoria Westling; Hus Galaxen 58183 Linköping Sweden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology; Uppsala University; Box 582 75123 Uppsala Sweden
| | - J. B. W. Wolf
- Department of Evolutionary Biology; Evolutionary Biology Centre; Uppsala University; Norbyvägen 18D 752 36 Uppsala Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory; Box 1031 17121 Solna Sweden
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32
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Skin transcriptome profiles associated with skin color in chickens. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0127301. [PMID: 26030885 PMCID: PMC4452617 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nutritional and medicinal benefits have been attributed to the consumption of tissues from the black-boned chickens in oriental countries. Lueyang black-boned chicken is one of the native chicken breeds. However, some birds may instead have white or lighter skin, which directly causes economic losses every year. Previous studies of pigmentation have focused on a number of genes that may play important roles in coat color regulation. Illumina2000 sequencing technology was used to catalog the global gene expression profiles in the skin of the Lueyang chicken with white versus black skin. A total of 18,608 unigenes were assembled from the reads obtained from the skin of the white and black chickens. A total of 649 known genes were differentially expressed in the black versus white chickens, with 314 genes that were up regulated and 335 genes that were down-regulated, and a total of 162 novel genes were differentially expressed in the black versus white chickens, consisting of 73 genes that were up-regulated (including 4 highly expressed genes that were expressed exclusively in the skin of the black chickens) and 89 genes that were down-regulated. There were also a total of 8 known coat-color genes expressed in previous studies (ASIP, TYR, KIT, TYRP1, OCA2, KITLG, MITF and MC1R). In this study, 4 of which showed greater expression in the black chickens, and several were up-regulated, such as KIT, ASIP, TYR and OCA2. To our surprise, KITLG, MITF and MC1R showed no significant difference in expression between the black- and white-skinned chickens, and the expression of TYRP1 was not detected in either skin color. The expression of ASIP, TYR, KIT, TYRP1, OCA2, KITLG, MITF and MC1R was validated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and the results of the qPCR were consistent with the RNA-seq. This study provides several candidate genes that may be associated with the development of black versus white skin. More importantly, the fact that the MC1R gene showed no significant difference in expression between the black and white chickens is of particular interest for future studies that aim to elucidate its functional role in the regulation of skin color.
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Li L, Li D, Liu L, Li S, Feng Y, Peng X, Gong Y. Endothelin Receptor B2 (EDNRB2) Gene Is Associated with Spot Plumage Pattern in Domestic Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125883. [PMID: 25955279 PMCID: PMC4425580 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 03/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelin receptor B subtype 2 (EDNRB2) is a seven-transmembrane G-protein coupled receptor. In this study, we investigated EDNRB2 gene as a candidate gene for duck spot plumage pattern according to studies of chicken and Japanese quail. The entire coding region was cloned by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Sequence analysis showed that duck EDNRB2 cDNA contained a 1311bp open reading frame and encoded a putative protein of 436 amino acids residues. The transcript shared 89%-90% identity with the counterparts in other avian species. A phylogenetic tree based on amino acid sequences showed that duck EDNRB2 was evolutionary conserved in avian clade. The entire coding region of EDNRB2 were sequenced in 20 spot and 20 non-spot ducks, and 13 SNPs were identified. Two of them (c.940G>A and c.995G>A) were non-synonymous substitutions, and were genotyped in 647 ducks representing non-spot and spot phenotypes. The c.995G>A mutation, which results in the amino acid substitution of Arg332His, was completely associated with the spot phenotype: all 152 spot ducks were carriers of the AA genotype and the other 495 individuals with non-spot phenotype were carriers of GA or GG genotype, respectively. Segregation in 17 GA×GG and 22 GA×GA testing combinations confirmed this association since the segregation ratios and genotypes of the offspring were in agreement with the hypothesis. In order to investigate the underlying mechanism of the spot phenotype, MITF gene was used as cell type marker of melanocyte progenitor cells while TYR and TYRP1 gene were used as cell type markers of mature melanocytes. Transcripts of MITF, TYR and TYRP1 gene with expected size were identified in all pigmented skin tissues while PCR products were not obtained from non-pigmented skin tissues. It was inferred that melanocytes are absent in non-pigmented skin tissues of spot ducks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Li
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dan Li
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shijun Li
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanping Feng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiuli Peng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanzhang Gong
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- * E-mail:
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Fulgione D, Lega C, Trapanese M, Buglione M. Genetic factors implied in melanin‐based coloration of the Italian wall lizard. J Zool (1987) 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- D. Fulgione
- Department of Biology University of Naples ‘Federico II’ Napoli Italy
| | - C. Lega
- Department of Biology University of Naples ‘Federico II’ Napoli Italy
- Department of Earth Science University of Pisa Pisa Italy
| | - M. Trapanese
- Department of Biology University of Naples ‘Federico II’ Napoli Italy
| | - M. Buglione
- Department of Biology University of Naples ‘Federico II’ Napoli Italy
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Roulin A, Jensen H. Sex-linked inheritance, genetic correlations and sexual dimorphism in three melanin-based colour traits in the barn owl. J Evol Biol 2015; 28:655-66. [PMID: 25656218 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Revised: 01/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Theory states that genes on the sex chromosomes have stronger effects on sexual dimorphism than genes on the autosomes. Although empirical data are not necessarily consistent with this theory, this situation may prevail because the relative role of sex-linked and autosomally inherited genes on sexual dimorphism has rarely been evaluated. We estimated the quantitative genetics of three sexually dimorphic melanin-based traits in the barn owl (Tyto alba), in which females are on average darker reddish pheomelanic and display more and larger black eumelanic feather spots than males. The plumage traits with higher sex-linked inheritance showed lower heritability and genetic correlations, but contrary to prediction, these traits showed less pronounced sexual dimorphism. Strong offspring sexual dimorphism primarily resulted from daughters not expressing malelike melanin-based traits and from sons expressing femalelike traits to similar degrees as their sisters. We conclude that in the barn owl, polymorphism at autosomal genes rather than at sex-linked genes generate variation in sexual dimorphism in melanin-based traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Roulin
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Roulin A. Condition-dependence, pleiotropy and the handicap principle of sexual selection in melanin-based colouration. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2015; 91:328-48. [PMID: 25631160 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Revised: 11/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The signalling function of melanin-based colouration is debated. Sexual selection theory states that ornaments should be costly to produce, maintain, wear or display to signal quality honestly to potential mates or competitors. An increasing number of studies supports the hypothesis that the degree of melanism covaries with aspects of body condition (e.g. body mass or immunity), which has contributed to change the initial perception that melanin-based colour ornaments entail no costs. Indeed, the expression of many (but not all) melanin-based colour traits is weakly sensitive to the environment but strongly heritable suggesting that these colour traits are relatively cheap to produce and maintain, thus raising the question of how such colour traits could signal quality honestly. Here I review the production, maintenance and wearing/displaying costs that can generate a correlation between melanin-based colouration and body condition, and consider other evolutionary mechanisms that can also lead to covariation between colour and body condition. Because genes controlling melanic traits can affect numerous phenotypic traits, pleiotropy could also explain a linkage between body condition and colouration. Pleiotropy may result in differently coloured individuals signalling different aspects of quality that are maintained by frequency-dependent selection or local adaptation. Colouration may therefore not signal absolute quality to potential mates or competitors (e.g. dark males may not achieve a higher fitness than pale males); otherwise genetic variation would be rapidly depleted by directional selection. As a consequence, selection on heritable melanin-based colouration may not always be directional, but mate choice may be conditional to environmental conditions (i.e. context-dependent sexual selection). Despite the interest of evolutionary biologists in the adaptive value of melanin-based colouration, its actual role in sexual selection is still poorly understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Roulin
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Building Biophore, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Roulin A. Melanin-based colour polymorphism responding to climate change. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2014; 20:3344-3350. [PMID: 24700793 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 03/26/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Climate warming leads to a decrease in biodiversity. Organisms can deal with the new prevailing environmental conditions by one of two main routes, namely evolving new genetic adaptations or through phenotypic plasticity to modify behaviour and physiology. Melanin-based colouration has important functions in animals including a role in camouflage and thermoregulation, protection against UV-radiation and pathogens and, furthermore, genes involved in melanogenesis can pleiotropically regulate behaviour and physiology. In this article, I review the current evidence that differently coloured individuals are differentially sensitive to climate change. Predicting which of dark or pale colour variants (or morphs) will be more penalized by climate change will depend on the adaptive function of melanism in each species as well as how the degree of colouration covaries with behaviour and physiology. For instance, because climate change leads to a rise in temperature and UV-radiation and dark colouration plays a role in UV-protection, dark individuals may be less affected from global warming, if this phenomenon implies more solar radiation particularly in habitats of pale individuals. In contrast, as desertification increases, pale colouration may expand in those regions, whereas dark colourations may expand in regions where humidity is predicted to increase. Dark colouration may be also indirectly selected by climate warming because genes involved in the production of melanin pigments confer resistance to a number of stressful factors including those associated with climate warming. Furthermore, darker melanic individuals are commonly more aggressive than paler conspecifics, and hence they may better cope with competitive interactions due to invading species that expand their range in northern latitudes and at higher altitudes. To conclude, melanin may be a major component involved in adaptation to climate warming, and hence in animal populations melanin-based colouration is likely to change as an evolutionary or plastic response to climate warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Roulin
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Building Biophore, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
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38
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Melanosome evolution indicates a key physiological shift within feathered dinosaurs. Nature 2014; 507:350-3. [PMID: 24522537 DOI: 10.1038/nature12973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Inference of colour patterning in extinct dinosaurs has been based on the relationship between the morphology of melanin-containing organelles (melanosomes) and colour in extant bird feathers. When this relationship evolved relative to the origin of feathers and other novel integumentary structures, such as hair and filamentous body covering in extinct archosaurs, has not been evaluated. Here we sample melanosomes from the integument of 181 extant amniote taxa and 13 lizard, turtle, dinosaur and pterosaur fossils from the Upper-Jurassic and Lower-Cretaceous of China. We find that in the lineage leading to birds, the observed increase in the diversity of melanosome morphologies appears abruptly, near the origin of pinnate feathers in maniraptoran dinosaurs. Similarly, mammals show an increased diversity of melanosome form compared to all ectothermic amniotes. In these two clades, mammals and maniraptoran dinosaurs including birds, melanosome form and colour are linked and colour reconstruction may be possible. By contrast, melanosomes in lizard, turtle and crocodilian skin, as well as the archosaurian filamentous body coverings (dinosaur 'protofeathers' and pterosaur 'pycnofibres'), show a limited diversity of form that is uncorrelated with colour in extant taxa. These patterns may be explained by convergent changes in the key melanocortin system of mammals and birds, which is known to affect pleiotropically both melanin-based colouration and energetic processes such as metabolic rate in vertebrates, and may therefore support a significant physiological shift in maniraptoran dinosaurs.
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Emaresi G, Bize P, Altwegg R, Henry I, van den Brink V, Gasparini J, Roulin A. Melanin-specific life-history strategies. Am Nat 2013; 183:269-80. [PMID: 24464200 DOI: 10.1086/674444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The maintenance of genetic variation is a long-standing issue because the adaptive value of life-history strategies associated with each genetic variant is usually unknown. However, evidence for the coexistence of alternative evolutionary fixed strategies at the population level remains scarce. Because in the tawny owl (Strix aluco) heritable melanin-based coloration shows different physiological and behavioral norms of reaction, we investigated whether coloration is associated with investment in maintenance and reproduction. Light melanic owls had lower adult survival compared to dark melanic conspecifics, and color variation was related to the trade-off between offspring number and quality. When we experimentally enlarged brood size, light melanic males produced more fledglings but in poorer condition, and they were less often recruited in the local breeding population than those of darker melanic conspecifics. Our results also suggest that dark melanic males allocate a constant effort to raise their brood independently of environmental conditions, whereas lighter melanic males finely adjust reproductive effort in relation to changes in environmental conditions. Color traits can therefore be associated with life-history strategies, and stochastic environmental perturbation can temporarily favor one phenotype over others. The existence of fixed strategies implies that some phenotypes can sometimes display a "maladapted" strategy. Long-term population monitoring is therefore vital for a full understanding of how different genotypes deal with trade-offs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Emaresi
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore Building, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Roulin A, Ducrest AL. Genetics of colouration in birds. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2013; 24:594-608. [PMID: 23665152 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2013.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2012] [Revised: 04/19/2013] [Accepted: 05/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Establishing the links between phenotype and genotype is of great importance for resolving key questions about the evolution, maintenance and adaptive function of phenotypic variation. Bird colouration is one of the most studied systems to investigate the role of natural and sexual selection in the evolution of phenotypic diversity. Given the recent advances in molecular tools that allow discovering genetic polymorphisms and measuring gene and protein expression levels, it is timely to review the literature on the genetics of bird colouration. The present study shows that melanin-based colour phenotypes are often associated with mutations at melanogenic genes. Differences in melanin-based colouration are caused by switches of eumelanin to pheomelanin production or by changes in feather keratin structure, melanoblast migration and differentiation, as well as melanosome structure. Similar associations with other types of colourations are difficult to establish, because our knowledge about the molecular genetics of carotenoid-based and structural colouration is quasi inexistent. This discrepancy stems from the fact that only melanin-based colouration shows pronounced heritability estimates, i.e. the resemblance between related individuals is usually mainly explained by genetic factors. In contrast, the expression of carotenoid-based colouration is phenotypically plastic with a high sensitivity to variation in environmental conditions. It therefore appears that melanin-based colour traits are prime systems to understand the genetic basis of phenotypic variation. In this context, birds have a great potential to bring us to new frontiers where many exciting discoveries will be made on the genetics of phenotypic traits, such as colouration. In this context, a major goal of our review is to suggest a number of exciting future avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Roulin
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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