Development of preferred orientation in the eggshell of the domestic fowl

Sharp, R. M.; Silyn-Roberts, Heather

doi:10.1016/s0006-3495(84)84010-2

Cited by 46 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Nevertheless, our results from extinct bird eggs expand on the scope of this conclusion as it seems likely that pyrrole eggshell pigments are both ancient in origin and highly conserved throughout the diverse radiations of birds. It remains to be shown what the structural, chemical, and biological mechanisms are that result in pigmented eggshell types and what role these pigments play in the protein network of the eggshell matrix (Sharp and Silyn-Roberts 1984).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detecting pigments from colourful eggshells of extinct birds

et al. 2009

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The known chemical basis of diverse avian eggshell coloration is generated by the same two classes of tetrapyrrole pigments in most living birds. We aimed to extend the evolutionary scope of these patterns by detecting pigments from extinct birds' eggs. In our samples biliverdin was successfully extracted from subfossil shell fragments of the blue-green egg-laying upland moa Megalapteryx didinus, while protoporphyrin was extracted from the beige eggs of two other extinct moa species. Our data on pigment detection from eggshells of other extant paleognath birds, together with published information on other modern lineages, confirm tetrapyrroles as ubiquitous and conserved pigments contributing to diverse eggshell colours throughout avian evolution.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detecting pigments from colourful eggshells of extinct birds

et al. 2009

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“…To quantify structural differences throughout the eggshell, we characterized three visually distinct layers in the eggshell cross section (figure 1 and electronic supplementary material, figures S1 and S2). Based on visible textural differences across different parts of the eggshell, and guided by the pioneering work of our research team member, Heather Silyn-Roberts, on eggshell structure [54,60], we separated the eggshell into three layers, the mamillary layer and an outer and inner palisade layer. The mamillary layer was characterized by the presence of cone structures, mamillae.…”

Section: Structural Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alternative mechanisms of increased eggshell hardness of avian brood parasites relative to host species

Igic

Braganza

Hyland

et al. 2011

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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Obligate brood parasitic birds lay their eggs in nests of other species and parasite eggs typically have evolved greater structural strength relative to host eggs. Increased mechanical strength of the parasite eggshell is an adaptation that can interfere with puncture ejection behaviours of discriminating hosts. We investigated whether hardness of eggshells is related to differences between physical and chemical traits from three different races of the parasitic common cuckoo Cuculus canorus, and their respective hosts. Using tools developed for materials science, we discovered a novel correlate of increased strength of parasite eggs: the common cuckoo's egg exhibits a greater microhardness, especially in the inner region of the shell matrix, relative to its host and sympatric non-host species. We then tested predictions of four potential mechanisms of shell strength: (i) increased relative thickness overall, (ii) greater proportion of the structurally harder shell layers, (iii) higher concentration of inorganic components in the shell matrix, and (iv) elevated deposition of a high density compound, MgCO 3 , in the shell matrix. We confirmed support only for hypothesis (i). Eggshell characteristics did not differ between parasite eggs sampled from different host nests in distant geographical sites, suggesting an evolutionarily shared microstructural mechanism of stronger parasite eggshells across diverse host-races of brood parasitic cuckoos.

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“…Scale bars a 50 mm; b 20 mm; c,d 2 mm. Reprinted from [24], with permission from Elsevier with either the (001) or (104) plane parallel to the shell surface [9,10]. Variability is observed in crystal orientation which has been correlated with shell strength [10].…”

Section: Overview Of Eggshell Biosynthesismentioning

confidence: 99%

Protein constituents of the eggshell: eggshell-specific matrix proteins

Rose

Hincke

2009

Cell. Mol. Life Sci.

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In this article, we review the results of recent proteomic and genomic analyses of eggshell matrix proteins and draw attention to the impact of these data on current understanding of eggshell formation and function. Eggshell-specific matrix proteins from avian (ovocleidins and ovocalyxins) and non-avian (paleovaterin) shells are discussed. Two possible roles for eggshell-specific matrix proteins have been proposed; both reflect the protective function of the eggshell in avian reproduction: regulation of eggshell mineralization and antimicrobial defense. An emerging concept is the dual role (mineralization/antimicrobial protection) that certain eggshell matrix proteins can play.

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Development of preferred orientation in the eggshell of the domestic fowl

Cited by 46 publications

References 7 publications

Detecting pigments from colourful eggshells of extinct birds

Detecting pigments from colourful eggshells of extinct birds

Alternative mechanisms of increased eggshell hardness of avian brood parasites relative to host species

Protein constituents of the eggshell: eggshell-specific matrix proteins

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