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Whitcher C, Beaver L, Lemmon EM. The effect of biofluorescence on predation upon Cope's gray treefrog: A clay model experiment. Behav Processes 2024; 215:104996. [PMID: 38278426 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2024.104996] [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: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Biofluorescence, the ability to absorb light and reemit it at a longer wavelength, is present in many taxa but has been examined only recently in amphibians. Over half of the studies documenting biofluorescence in the last century suggest this fluorescent signal may affect predation; however, to date, only one other experimental study has tested this hypothesis. To address this question, we experimentally tested the effect of biofluorescence on predation through the study of the Cope's Gray Treefrog, Hyla chrysoscelis. First, we quantified the spectral characteristics of a novel biofluorescence pattern in H. chrysoscelis. In both sexes of this species, the fluorescent signal is concentrated in an area that contains a proposed aposematic pattern to warn predators of the frog's toxic secretions. We hypothesized that the biofluorescent trait may increase the conspicuousness of this pattern and enable the frogs to deter predators more effectively. Second, we tested this prediction by conducting a clay model field experiment to assess differences in predation attempts on fluorescent versus non-fluorescent H. chrysoscelis models by various predator types. We found no effect of biofluorescence on the overall presence, type, or location of predation, suggesting that biofluorescence alone does not act as an antipredator signal of H. chrysoscelis. This study represents one of the first attempts to experimentally test the effect of biofluorescence on predation in any organism and the first to do so in amphibians. Further work is needed to explore the role of this trait in predation in other systems and to investigate alternative functions for the biofluorescent signal in H. chrysoscelis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Whitcher
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
| | - Lilyanne Beaver
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University, 3209 Duke Univserity School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Emily Moriarty Lemmon
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
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Travouillon KJ, Cooper C, Bouzin JT, Umbrello LS, Lewis SW. All-a-glow: spectral characteristics confirm widespread fluorescence for mammals. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:230325. [PMID: 37800154 PMCID: PMC10548093 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian fluorescence has been reported from numerous species of monotreme, marsupial and placental mammal. However, it is unknown how widespread this phenomenon is among mammals, it is unclear for many species if these observations of 'glowing' are true fluorescence and the biological function of fluorescence remains undetermined. We examined a wide range of mammal species held in a museum collection for the presence of apparent fluorescence using UV light, and then analysed a subset of preserved and non-preserved specimens by fluorescent spectroscopy at three different excitation wavelengths to assess whether the observations were fluorescence or optical scatter, and the impact of specimen preservation. We also evaluated if fluorescence was related to biological traits. We found that fluorescence is widespread in mammalian taxa; we identified examples of the phenomena among 125 species representing all 27 living mammalian orders and 79 families. For a number of model species, there was no evidence of a corresponding shift in the emission spectra when the wavelength of excitation was shifted, suggesting that observations of 'glowing' mammals were indeed fluorescence. Preservation method impacted the intensity of fluorescence. Fluorescence was most common and most intense among nocturnal species and those with terrestrial, arboreal and fossorial habits, with more of their body being more fluorescent. It remains unclear if fluorescence has any specific biological role for mammals. It appears to be a ubiquitous property of unpigmented fur and skin but may function to make these areas appear brighter and therefore enhance visual signalling, especially for nocturnal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenny J. Travouillon
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
- Collections and Research, Western Australian Museum, Welshpool, Western Australia 6106, Australia
| | - Christine Cooper
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
| | - Jemmy T. Bouzin
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
| | - Linette S. Umbrello
- Collections and Research, Western Australian Museum, Welshpool, Western Australia 6106, Australia
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Gardens Point Campus, 2 George Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
| | - Simon W. Lewis
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
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Techniques for documenting and quantifying biofluorescence through digital photography and color quantization. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpap.2022.100149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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4
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Maria M, Al-Razi H, Borzée A, Bin Muzaffar S. Biofluorescence in the herpetofauna of northeast Bangladesh. HERPETOZOA 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.35.e76225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorescence is a poorly documented phenomenon in vertebrates and has been suggested to play several biological roles. With increased study, the number of species in which biofluorescence has been identified is increasing steadily. We conducted a UV light survey for biofluorescence in the herpetofauna in Lawachara National Park, Bangladesh and found biofluorescence in one amphibian (Microhyla berdmorei) and three reptile species (Boiga cyanea, Cyrtodactylus tripuraensis and Hemidactylus platyurus).
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Nunes I, Guimarães CS, Moura PHAG, Pedrozo M, Moroti MDT, Castro LM, Stuginski DR, Muscat E. Hidden by the name: A new fluorescent pumpkin toadlet from the Brachycephalus ephippium group (Anura: Brachycephalidae). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0244812. [PMID: 33909613 PMCID: PMC8081201 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Species of Brachycephalus has been having taxonomical issues due its morphological similarity and genetic conservatism. Herein, we describe a new species of Brachycephalus from the south Mantiqueira mountain range and semidecidual forests in the municipalities of Mogi das Cruzes, Campinas and Jundiaí, state of São Paulo, Brazil, based on an integrative approach. It can be distinguished from all species of the B. ephippium species group based on morphological characters (especially osteology and head shape), advertisement call and divergence in partial mitochondrial DNA gene sequences (16S). The new species is genetically similar to B. margaritatus and morphologically similar to B. ephippium. It can be differentiated from B. ephippium by the presence of dark faded spots on skull and post-cranial plates, presence of black connective tissue connective tissue scattered over dorsal musculature, parotic plate morphology, smaller snout-vent length (adult SVL: males 13.46-15.92 mm; females 16.04-17.69 mm) and 3% genetic distance. We also present natural history data and discuss the robustness of the integrative approach, geographic distribution, genetic data, behaviour, fluorescence in ontogeny, and conservation status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Nunes
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Instituto de Biociências, Campus do Litoral Paulista, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), São Vicente, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carla S. Guimarães
- Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Pedro Henrique A. G. Moura
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Instituto de Biociências, Campus do Litoral Paulista, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), São Vicente, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana Pedrozo
- Projeto Dacnis, São Francisco Xavier and Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Matheus de Toledo Moroti
- Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- Projeto Dacnis, São Francisco Xavier and Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leandro M. Castro
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Instituto de Biociências, Campus do Litoral Paulista, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), São Vicente, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Edelcio Muscat
- Projeto Dacnis, São Francisco Xavier and Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil
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6
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Prötzel D, Heß M, Schwager M, Glaw F, Scherz MD. Neon-green fluorescence in the desert gecko Pachydactylus rangei caused by iridophores. Sci Rep 2021; 11:297. [PMID: 33432052 PMCID: PMC7801506 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79706-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofluorescence is widespread in the natural world, but only recently discovered in terrestrial vertebrates. Here, we report on the discovery of iridophore-based, neon-green flourescence in the gecko Pachydactylus rangei, localised to the skin around the eyes and along the flanks. The maximum emission of the fluorescence is at a wavelength of 516 nm in the green spectrum (excitation maximum 465 nm, blue) with another, smaller peak at 430 nm. The fluorescent regions of the skin show large numbers of iridophores, which are lacking in the non-fluorescent parts. Two types of iridophores are recognized, fluorescent iridophores and basal, non-fluorescent iridophores, the latter of which might function as a mirror, amplifying the omnidirectional fluorescence. The strong intensity of the fluorescence (quantum yield of 12.5%) indicates this to be a highly effective mechanism, unique among tetrapods. Although the fluorescence is associated with iridophores, the spectra of emission and excitation as well as the small Stokes shifts argue against guanine crystals as its source, but rather a rigid pair of fluorophores. Further studies are necessary to identify their morphology and chemical structures. We hypothesise that this nocturnal gecko uses the neon-green fluorescence, excited by moonlight, for intraspecific signalling in its open desert habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Prötzel
- grid.452282.b0000 0001 1013 3702Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM-SNSB), Münchhausenstr. 21, 81247 Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Heß
- grid.5252.00000 0004 1936 973XDepartment Biologie II, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Großhaderner Straße 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Martina Schwager
- grid.434949.70000 0001 1408 3925Department of Applied Sciences and Mechatronics, Munich University of Applied Sciences, Lothstr. 34, 80335 Munich, Germany
| | - Frank Glaw
- grid.452282.b0000 0001 1013 3702Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM-SNSB), Münchhausenstr. 21, 81247 Munich, Germany
| | - Mark D. Scherz
- grid.452282.b0000 0001 1013 3702Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM-SNSB), Münchhausenstr. 21, 81247 Munich, Germany
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7
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Taboada C, Brunetti AE, Lyra ML, Fitak RR, Faigón Soverna A, Ron SR, Lagorio MG, Haddad CFB, Lopes NP, Johnsen S, Faivovich J, Chemes LB, Bari SE. Multiple origins of green coloration in frogs mediated by a novel biliverdin-binding serpin. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:18574-18581. [PMID: 32661155 PMCID: PMC7414155 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2006771117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Many vertebrates have distinctive blue-green bones and other tissues due to unusually high biliverdin concentrations-a phenomenon called chlorosis. Despite its prevalence, the biochemical basis, biology, and evolution of chlorosis are poorly understood. In this study, we show that the occurrence of high biliverdin in anurans (frogs and toads) has evolved multiple times during their evolutionary history, and relies on the same mechanism-the presence of a class of serpin family proteins that bind biliverdin. Using a diverse combination of techniques, we purified these serpins from several species of nonmodel treefrogs and developed a pipeline that allowed us to assemble their complete amino acid and nucleotide sequences. The described proteins, hereafter named biliverdin-binding serpins (BBS), have absorption spectra that mimic those of phytochromes and bacteriophytochromes. Our models showed that physiological concentration of BBSs fine-tune the color of the animals, providing the physiological basis for crypsis in green foliage even under near-infrared light. Additionally, we found that these BBSs are most similar to human glycoprotein alpha-1-antitrypsin, but with a remarkable functional diversification. Our results present molecular and functional evidence of recurrent evolution of chlorosis, describe a biliverdin-binding protein in vertebrates, and introduce a function for a member of the serpin superfamily, the largest and most ubiquitous group of protease inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Taboada
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708;
- División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia," Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1405DJR, Argentina
- Instituto de Química Física de los Materiales, Medio Ambiente y Energía, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1428EHA, Argentina
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos (NPPNS), Departamento de Ciências BioMoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 14040903 Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andrés E Brunetti
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos (NPPNS), Departamento de Ciências BioMoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 14040903 Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratorio de Genética Evolutiva "Claudio Juan Bidau," Instituto de Biología Subtropical (CONICET-UNaM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, 3300 Posadas, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Mariana L Lyra
- Departamento de Biodiversidade e Centro de Aquicultura, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, 13506-900 Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Robert R Fitak
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
- Department of Biology, Genomics and Bioinformatics Cluster, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816
| | - Ana Faigón Soverna
- División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia," Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1405DJR, Argentina
| | - Santiago R Ron
- Museo de Zoología, Escuela de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Aptdo. 17-01-2184, Quito, Ecuador
| | - María G Lagorio
- Instituto de Química Física de los Materiales, Medio Ambiente y Energía, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1428EHA, Argentina
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Analítica y Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1428EHA, Argentina
| | - Célio F B Haddad
- Departamento de Biodiversidade e Centro de Aquicultura, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, 13506-900 Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Norberto P Lopes
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos (NPPNS), Departamento de Ciências BioMoleculares, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 14040903 Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sönke Johnsen
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Julián Faivovich
- División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia," Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1405DJR, Argentina
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1428EHA, Argentina
| | - Lucía B Chemes
- Fundación Instituto Leloir and Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1405BWE, Argentina;
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, CP1650 San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sara E Bari
- Instituto de Química Física de los Materiales, Medio Ambiente y Energía, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1428EHA, Argentina;
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8
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Donner K, Yovanovich CAM. A frog's eye view: Foundational revelations and future promises. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2020; 106:72-85. [PMID: 32466970 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2020.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
From the mid-19th century until the 1980's, frogs and toads provided important research models for many fundamental questions in visual neuroscience. In the present century, they have been largely neglected. Yet they are animals with highly developed vision, a complex retina built on the basic vertebrate plan, an accessible brain, and an experimentally useful behavioural repertoire. They also offer a rich diversity of species and life histories on a reasonably restricted physiological and evolutionary background. We suggest that important insights may be gained from revisiting classical questions in anurans with state-of-the-art methods. At the input to the system, this especially concerns the molecular evolution of visual pigments and photoreceptors, at the output, the relation between retinal signals, brain processing and behavioural decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Donner
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Program, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland; PB 65 (Viikinkaari 1), 00014, University of Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Carola A M Yovanovich
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Rua do Matão, Trav. 14, N°101, São Paulo, SP, 05508-090, Brazil.
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Araujo-Vieira K, Blotto BL, Caramaschi U, Haddad CFB, Faivovich J, Grant T. A total evidence analysis of the phylogeny of hatchet-faced treefrogs (Anura: Hylidae: Sphaenorhynchus). Cladistics 2019; 35:469-486. [PMID: 34618945 DOI: 10.1111/cla.12367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Neotropical hylid genus Sphaenorhynchus includes 15 species of small, greenish treefrogs widespread in the Amazon and Orinoco basins, and in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Although some studies have addressed the phylogenetic relationships of the genus with other hylids using a few exemplar species, its internal relationships remain poorly understood. In order to test its monophyly and the relationships among its species, we performed a total evidence phylogenetic analysis of sequences of three mitochondrial and three nuclear genes, and 193 phenotypic characters from all species of Sphaenorhynchus. Our results support the monophyly of Sphaenorhynchus with molecular and phenotypic evidence, with S. pauloalvini as the earliest diverging taxon, followed by S. carneus, as the sister taxon of all remaining species of the genus. We recognize three species groups in Sphaenorhynchus (the S. lacteus, S. planicola and S. platycephalus groups), to facilitate its taxonomic study; only three species (S. carneus, S. pauloalvini and S. prasinus) remain unassigned to any group. Sequence data were not available for only two species (S. bromelicola and S. palustris) for which we scored phenotypic data; wildcard behaviour was detected only in S. bromelicola nested inside the S. platycephalus group. On the basis of the resulting phylogenetic hypothesis, we discuss the evolution of oviposition site and a number of phenotypic characters that could be associated with heterochronic events in the evolutionary history of this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katyuscia Araujo-Vieira
- División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"-CONICET, Ángel Gallardo 470, Buenos Aires, C1405DJR, Argentina
| | - Boris L Blotto
- División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"-CONICET, Ángel Gallardo 470, Buenos Aires, C1405DJR, Argentina.,Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Ulisses Caramaschi
- Departamento de Vertebrados, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista, São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 20940-040, Brazil
| | - Celio F B Haddad
- Departamento de Zoologia and Centro de Aquicultura (CAUNESP), Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Avenida 24A, 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, São Paulo, 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Julián Faivovich
- División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"-CONICET, Ángel Gallardo 470, Buenos Aires, C1405DJR, Argentina.,Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Taran Grant
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil
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10
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Prötzel D, Heß M, Scherz MD, Schwager M, Padje AV, Glaw F. Widespread bone-based fluorescence in chameleons. Sci Rep 2018; 8:698. [PMID: 29335580 PMCID: PMC5768862 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-19070-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorescence is widespread in marine organisms but uncommon in terrestrial tetrapods. We here show that many chameleon species have bony tubercles protruding from the skull that are visible through their scales, and fluoresce under UV light. Tubercles arising from bones of the skull displace all dermal layers other than a thin, transparent layer of epidermis, creating a ‘window’ onto the bone. In the genus Calumma, the number of these tubercles is sexually dimorphic in most species, suggesting a signalling role, and also strongly reflects species groups, indicating systematic value of these features. Co-option of the known fluorescent properties of bone has never before been shown, yet it is widespread in the chameleons of Madagascar and some African chameleon genera, particularly in those genera living in forested, humid habitats known to have a higher relative component of ambient UV light. The fluorescence emits with a maximum at around 430 nm in blue colour which contrasts well to the green and brown background reflectance of forest habitats. This discovery opens new avenues in the study of signalling among chameleons and sexual selection factors driving ornamentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Prötzel
- Department of Herpetology, Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM-SNSB), Münchhausenstr. 21, 81247, München, Germany
| | - Martin Heß
- Department Biologie II, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Großhaderner Straße 2, 82152, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Mark D Scherz
- Department of Herpetology, Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM-SNSB), Münchhausenstr. 21, 81247, München, Germany
| | - Martina Schwager
- Department of Applied Sciences and Mechatronics, Munich University of Applied Sciences, Lothstr. 34, 80335, München, Germany
| | - Anouk Van't Padje
- Department of Herpetology, Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM-SNSB), Münchhausenstr. 21, 81247, München, Germany.,Department of Ecological Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Glaw
- Department of Herpetology, Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM-SNSB), Münchhausenstr. 21, 81247, München, Germany.
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