The biology of color

Cuthill, Innes C.; Allen, William L.; Arbuckle, Kevin; Caspers, Barbara A.; Chaplin, George; Hauber, Márk E.; Hill, Geoffrey E.; Jablonski, Nina G.; Jiggins, Chris D.; Kelber, Almut; Mappes, Johanna; Marshall, N. Justin; Merrill, Richard M.; Osorio, Daniel; Prum, Richard O.; Roberts, Nicholas W.; Roulin, Alexandre; Rowland, Hannah M.; Sherratt, Thomas N.; Stachurski, John; Speed, Michael P.; Stevens, Martin; Stoddard, Mary Caswell; Stuart‐Fox, Devi; Tálas, László; Tibbetts, Elizabeth A.; Caro, Timothy

doi:10.1126/science.aan0221

Cited by 604 publications

(533 citation statements)

References 98 publications

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“…For instance, several studies have consistently identified coding changes as well as putative regulatory differences in the gene agouti signalling protein (ASIP) between birds with melanic and non-melanic plumage patches [1,14,18,28]. Our assay identified 72 SNPs within 50 kb of the ASIP coding region, but none were highly differentiated between myrtle and Audubon's warblers (average F ST in this region ¼ 0.02, lower than the genome-wide average of 0.045).…”

Section: (B) Candidate Genes and Functional Interpretationsmentioning

confidence: 81%

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Admixture mapping in a hybrid zone reveals loci associated with avian feather coloration

2017

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These authors contributed equally to this study. Identifying the genetic bases for colour patterns has provided important insights into the control and expression of pigmentation and how these characteristics influence fitness. However, much more is known about the genetic bases for traits based on melanin pigments than for traits based on another major class of pigments, carotenoids. Here, we use natural admixture in a hybrid zone between Audubon's and myrtle warblers (Setophaga coronata auduboni/S. c. coronata) to identify genomic regions associated with both types of pigmentation. Warblers are known for rapid speciation and dramatic differences in plumage. For each of five plumage coloration traits, we found highly significant associations with multiple single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the genome and these were clustered in discrete regions. Regions near significantly associated SNPs were enriched for genes associated with keratin filaments, fibrils that make up feathers. A carotenoid-based trait that differs between the taxa-throat colour-had more than a dozen genomic regions of association. One cluster of SNPs for this trait overlaps the Scavenger Receptor Class F Member 2 (SCARF2) gene. Other scavenger receptors are presumed to be expressed at target tissues and involved in the selective movement of carotenoids into the target cells, making SCARF2 a plausible new candidate for carotenoid processing. In addition, two melanin-based plumage traits-colours of the eye line and eye spot-show very strong associations with a single genomic region mapping to chromosome 20 in the zebra finch. These findings indicate that only a subset of the genomic regions differentiated between these two warblers are associated with the plumage differences between them and demonstrate the utility of reduced-representation genomic scans in hybrid zones.

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Section: (B) Candidate Genes and Functional Interpretationsmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…Coloration is among the most conspicuous phenotypes to differ among closely related species [1,2]. Using genetic crosses, association studies have identified a number of key genes involved in pigmentation pathways that give rise to such colour differences [2][3][4][5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Admixture mapping in a hybrid zone reveals loci associated with avian feather coloration

2017

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“…[273,274] In particular, intricate optical structures deliver specialized signals that are processed into information by complex visual systems, the eyes. [275,276] The cuticle exoskeleton of certain insects contains ordered, quasi-ordered or disordered nanostructures that reflect light in particular wavelength ranges and can produce vibrant colors, while cuticle on the exterior of other insects forms nanostructured layers that prevent light reflection entirely, rendering them transparent. Mechanisms to manipulate light have developed alongside those to detect it; the surface of some insect eyes is patterned with nanoscale features that promote efficient light transmission and also act as a hydrophobic deterrent for visionblocking condensation (Section 4).…”

Section: Sensing and Manipulation Of Lightmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[277] Numerous recent reviews discuss the physical aspects of insect displays, [273,[277][278][279][280][281][282][283][284][285][286] as well as their function in animal communication. [275,276,287] In general, there are two main classes of animal coloration: pigmentary coloration due to the wavelength-selective light absorption by chemical dyes and structural coloration due to the interaction of incident light with ordered, quasi-ordered or disordered nanostructures causing interference. [277,288,289] Both coloration mechanisms feature unique optical properties that can combine in nontrivial ways and modulate optical properties with potential applications ranging from displays, to brilliant durable paints, to adaptive camouflage and transparent materials.…”

Section: Mechanisms Of Color Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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It's Not a Bug, It's a Feature: Functional Materials in Insects

2018

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Over the course of their wildly successful proliferation across the earth, the insects as a taxon have evolved enviable adaptations to their diverse habitats, which include adhesives, locomotor systems, hydrophobic surfaces, and sensors and actuators that transduce mechanical, acoustic, optical, thermal, and chemical signals. Insect‐inspired designs currently appear in a range of contexts, including antireflective coatings, optical displays, and computing algorithms. However, as over one million distinct and highly specialized species of insects have colonized nearly all habitable regions on the planet, they still provide a largely untapped pool of unique problem‐solving strategies. With the intent of providing materials scientists and engineers with a muse for the next generation of bioinspired materials, here, a selection of some of the most spectacular adaptations that insects have evolved is assembled and organized by function. The insects presented display dazzling optical properties as a result of natural photonic crystals, precise hierarchical patterns that span length scales from nanometers to millimeters, and formidable defense mechanisms that deploy an arsenal of chemical weaponry. Successful mimicry of these adaptations may facilitate technological solutions to as wide a range of problems as they solve in the insects that originated them.

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Morphological and Physiological Colour Changes in the Animal Kingdom

Figon

Casas

2018

Encyclopedia of Life Sciences

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Colour change is the ability of an organism to modify its colouration in response to specific stimuli. Several biological functions have been proposed to explain colour changes, including ultraviolet (UV) protection, thermoregulation, crypsis, inter‐ and intraspecific communication. Changes in body colouration are mainly performed through two types of mechanisms referred to as morphological and physiological. Mechanistically, these two types of colour changes differ in their speed and the way coloured structures are altered. The proximal causes of these colour changes are identified in a handful number of species and demonstrate that common physiological, cellular and molecular actors are at play. However, the reasons why both colour‐change types are widespread in the animal kingdom and how they have evolved are still unknown. This is partly due to a lack of knowledge about the fitness implications of colour changes, particularly their energetic costs. Key Concepts Morphological and physiological colour changes are widespread in the animal kingdom. It has been suggested that both types of colour changes have the same biological functions, which are UV protection, thermoregulation, crypsis, inter‐ and intraspecific communication. Despite differences in speed and mechanisms, similar cellular and molecular actors are at play for both types of colour changes. Colour changes are triggered by environmental stimuli, mainly light, and are regulated by the neuronal and hormonal systems. The evolution of colour‐changing abilities is still poorly understood because the consequences of colour changes on individual fitness remain to be investigated.

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The biology of color

Cited by 604 publications

References 98 publications

Admixture mapping in a hybrid zone reveals loci associated with avian feather coloration

Admixture mapping in a hybrid zone reveals loci associated with avian feather coloration

It's Not a Bug, It's a Feature: Functional Materials in Insects

Morphological and Physiological Colour Changes in the Animal Kingdom

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