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Nicolaï MPJ, Debruyn G, Soenens M, Shawkey MD, D’Alba L. Nanoscale millefeuilles produce iridescent bill ornaments in birds. PNAS Nexus 2024; 3:pgae138. [PMID: 38638835 PMCID: PMC11026107 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Colors are well studied in bird plumage but not in other integumentary structures. In particular, iridescent colors from structures other than plumage are undescribed in birds. Here, we show that a multilayer of keratin and lipids is sufficient to produce the iridescent bill of Spermophaga haematina. Furthermore, that the male bill is presented to the female under different angles during display provides support for the hypothesis that iridescence evolved in response to sexual selection. This is the first report of an iridescent bill, and only the second instance of iridescence in birds in which melanosomes are not involved. Furthermore, an investigation of museum specimens of an additional 98 species, showed that this evolved once, possibly twice. These results are promising, as they suggest that birds utilize a wider array of physical phenomena to produce coloration and should further stimulate research on nonplumage integumentary colors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaël P J Nicolaï
- Department of Biology, Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, University of Ghent, Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Gent, Belgium
- Department of Recent Vertebrates, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Gerben Debruyn
- Department of Biology, Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, University of Ghent, Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Mieke Soenens
- Department of Biology, Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, University of Ghent, Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Matthew D Shawkey
- Department of Biology, Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, University of Ghent, Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Liliana D’Alba
- Department of Biology, Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, University of Ghent, Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Gent, Belgium
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR Leiden, The Netherlands
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Vanthournout B, Janssens F, Debruyn G, Mertens J, Clerck KD, D’Alba L, Shawkey M. Rapid and reversible humidity-dependent colour change by water film formation in a scaled springtail. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20230228. [PMID: 37788712 PMCID: PMC10547546 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Colour is often not a static trait but can change over time either through biotic or abiotic factors. Humidity-dependent colour change can occur through either morphological change (e.g. to feather barbules in birds) or by the replacement of air by water causing a shift in refractive index, as seen in arthropod multi-layer cuticles or scales. The scaled springtail Lepidocyrtus cyaneus has scales that produce colour largely via thin film interference from their lamina. We observed a marked colour change from golden to violet/purple coloration in humid conditions. Light microscopy, micro-spectrophotometry, contact angle goniometry and optical modelling indicate that the formation of a thin film of water on top of the hydrophilic scales increases their laminar thin film thickness, causing a shift towards violet/purple colour. Evaporation of the water film causes the metallic golden colour to return. This constitutes a remarkably rapid colour change (in the order of seconds), only limited by the speed of water film condensation and evaporation, that may serve as inspiration for new dynamically coloured materials and sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bram Vanthournout
- Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ledeganckstraat 35, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Frans Janssens
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
| | - Gerben Debruyn
- Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ledeganckstraat 35, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Johan Mertens
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ledeganckstraat 35, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Karen De Clerck
- Centre for Textile Science and Engineering (CTSE), Ghent University, Technologiepark 70a, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium
| | - Liliana D’Alba
- Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ledeganckstraat 35, Ghent 9000, Belgium
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Matthew Shawkey
- Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ledeganckstraat 35, Ghent 9000, Belgium
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Kulshreshtha G, D’Alba L, Dunn IC, Rehault-Godbert S, Rodriguez-Navarro AB, Hincke MT. Properties, Genetics and Innate Immune Function of the Cuticle in Egg-Laying Species. Front Immunol 2022; 13:838525. [PMID: 35281050 PMCID: PMC8914949 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.838525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cleidoic eggs possess very efficient and orchestrated systems to protect the embryo from external microbes until hatch. The cuticle is a proteinaceous layer on the shell surface in many bird and some reptile species. An intact cuticle forms a pore plug to occlude respiratory pores and is an effective physical and chemical barrier against microbial penetration. The interior of the egg is assumed to be normally sterile, while the outer eggshell cuticle hosts microbes. The diversity of the eggshell microbiome is derived from both maternal microbiota and those of the nesting environment. The surface characteristics of the egg, outer moisture layer and the presence of antimicrobial molecules composing the cuticle dictate constituents of the microbial communities on the eggshell surface. The avian cuticle affects eggshell wettability, water vapor conductance and regulates ultraviolet reflectance in various ground-nesting species; moreover, its composition, thickness and degree of coverage are dependent on species, hen age, and physiological stressors. Studies in domestic avian species have demonstrated that changes in the cuticle affect the food safety of eggs with respect to the risk of contamination by bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli. Moreover, preventing contamination of internal egg components is crucial to optimize hatching success in bird species. In chickens there is moderate heritability (38%) of cuticle deposition with a potential for genetic improvement. However, much less is known about other bird or reptile cuticles. This review synthesizes current knowledge of eggshell cuticle and provides insight into its evolution in the clade reptilia. The origin, composition and regulation of the eggshell microbiome and the potential function of the cuticle as the first barrier of egg defense are discussed in detail. We evaluate how changes in the cuticle affect the food safety of table eggs and vertical transmission of pathogens in the production chain with respect to the risk of contamination. Thus, this review provides insight into the physiological and microbiological characteristics of eggshell cuticle in relation to its protective function (innate immunity) in egg-laying birds and reptiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garima Kulshreshtha
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Liliana D’Alba
- Evolutionary Ecology, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Ian C. Dunn
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Maxwell T. Hincke
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Innovation in Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Mader S, Goldenberg J, Massetti F, Bisschop K, D’Alba L, Etienne RS, Clusella‐Trullas S, Shawkey MD. How melanism affects the sensitivity of lizards to climate change. Funct Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Mader
- Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group Department of Biology Ghent University Ghent Belgium
- Theoretical Research in Evolutionary Life Sciences Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences University of Groningen Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Jonathan Goldenberg
- Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group Department of Biology Ghent University Ghent Belgium
| | - Federico Massetti
- Centre for Invasion Biology Department of Botany and Zoology Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch South Africa
| | - Karen Bisschop
- Theoretical Research in Evolutionary Life Sciences Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences University of Groningen Groningen The Netherlands
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit Department of Biology Ghent University Ghent Belgium
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
| | - Liliana D’Alba
- Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group Department of Biology Ghent University Ghent Belgium
| | - Rampal S. Etienne
- Theoretical Research in Evolutionary Life Sciences Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences University of Groningen Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Susana Clusella‐Trullas
- Centre for Invasion Biology Department of Botany and Zoology Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch South Africa
| | - Matthew D. Shawkey
- Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group Department of Biology Ghent University Ghent Belgium
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Shawkey MD, D’Alba L. Egg pigmentation probably has an early Archosaurian origin. Nature 2019; 570:E43-E45. [DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1282-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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D’Alba L. Pterosaur plumage. Nat Ecol Evol 2019; 3:12-13. [DOI: 10.1038/s41559-018-0767-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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D’Alba L, Shawkey MD, Korsten P, Vedder O, Kingma SA, Komdeur J, Beissinger SR. Differential deposition of antimicrobial proteins in blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) clutches by laying order and male attractiveness. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2010; 64:1037-1045. [PMID: 20414331 PMCID: PMC2854352 DOI: 10.1007/s00265-010-0919-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2009] [Revised: 01/30/2010] [Accepted: 02/01/2010] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Female birds can influence offspring fitness by varying the relative quantities of egg components they deposit within and between clutches. Antimicrobial proteins (lysozyme, ovotransferrin, and avidin) are significant components of the avian albumen and likely aid in defense of embryos from microbial infection. Within clutches, females may enhance antimicrobial defense of early-laid eggs to protect them from the high risk of infection incurred before the onset of incubation. Among entire clutches, females may invest more resources in young sired by more attractive males because they have higher reproductive value. We tested these hypotheses by quantifying antimicrobial protein distribution within and among clutches in blue tit eggs. Contrary to our hypothesis, clutches showed no differential deposition of lysozyme or avidin within clutches, but eggs laid in the middle of the sequence had higher concentrations of ovotransferrin than eggs in the beginning and end. Consistent with our second hypothesis, we found that females produced eggs with higher concentrations of lysozyme (although not ovotransferrin or avidin) when mated to more attractive (more UV-reflective) males. Furthermore, females mated to polygynous males deposited less lysozyme than those mated to monogamous males. These data suggest that allocation of lysozyme at the clutch level may be a maternal effect mediated by male qualities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana D’Alba
- Department of Biology and Integrated Bioscience Program, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-3908 USA
| | - Matthew D. Shawkey
- Department of Biology and Integrated Bioscience Program, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-3908 USA
| | - Peter Korsten
- Animal Ecology Group, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 14, 9750 AA Haren, The Netherlands
- Present Address: Institute of Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JT UK
| | - Oscar Vedder
- Animal Ecology Group, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 14, 9750 AA Haren, The Netherlands
| | - Sjouke A. Kingma
- Animal Ecology Group, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 14, 9750 AA Haren, The Netherlands
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Vogelwarte Radolfzell, Schlossallee 2, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany
| | - Jan Komdeur
- Animal Ecology Group, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 14, 9750 AA Haren, The Netherlands
| | - Steven R. Beissinger
- Ecosystem Sciences Division, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
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Verboven N, Evans NP, D’Alba L, Nager RG, Blount JD, Surai PF, Monaghan P. Intra-specific interactions influence egg composition in the lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2004. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-004-0862-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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