The evolution, maintenance and adaptive function of genetic colour polymorphism in birds

Roulin, Alexandra

doi:10.1017/s1464793104006487

Cited by 486 publications

(615 citation statements)

References 232 publications

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“…a clearly different outcome to a within-species colour polymorphism [28,29]. The two species may then fail to coexist, in which case assortative mating would ultimately lead to the persistence of only one colour morph [28]-while we found this outcome (monomorphism) precisely when there was no assortative mating.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 53%

The hawk–dove game in a sexually reproducing species explains a colourful polymorphism of an endangered bird

2014

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The hawk-dove game famously introduced strategic game theory thinking into biology and forms the basis of arguments for limited aggression in animal populations. However, aggressive 'hawks' and peaceful 'doves', with strategies inherited in a discrete manner, have never been documented in a real animal population. Thus, the applicability of game-theoretic arguments to real populations might be contested. Here, we show that the head-colour polymorphism of red and black Gouldian finches (Erythrura gouldiae) provides a real-life example. The aggressive red morph is behaviourally dominant and successfully invades black populations, but when red 'hawks' become too common, their fitness is severely compromised (via decreased parental ability). We also investigate the effects of real-life deviations, particularly sexual reproduction, from the simple original game, which assumed asexual reproduction. A protected polymorphism requires mate choice to be sufficiently assortative. Assortative mating is adaptive for individuals because of genetic incompatibilities affecting hybrid offspring fitness, but by allowing red 'hawks' to persist, it also leads to significantly reduced population sizes. Because reductions in male contributions to parental care are generally known to lead to lower population productivity in birds, we expect zerosum competition to often have wide ranging population consequences.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 53%

The hawk–dove game in a sexually reproducing species explains a colourful polymorphism of an endangered bird

2014

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“…Melanin-based colouration is also involved in ornamentation, camouflage and protection against physical damage, infectious agents, UV-light, and toxicants (Cesarini 1996;Majerus 1998;Mackintosh 2001;Roulin 2004a;Hoekstra 2006). The proximate and ultimate causes for the association between eumelanin-based ornamentation and other fitness-related traits such as immunocompetence remains debated (see e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Melanin-based skin spots reflect stress responsiveness in salmonid fish

Kittilsen

Schjolden

Beitnes-Johansen

et al. 2009

Hormones and Behavior

134

122

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This version available http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/7671/ NERC has developed NORA to enable users to access research outputs wholly or partially funded by NERC. Copyright and other rights for material on this site are retained by the authors and/or other rights owners. Users should read the terms and conditions of use of this material at http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/policies.html#access This document is the author's final manuscript version of the journal article, incorporating any revisions agreed during the peer review process. Some differences between this and the publisher's version remain. You are advised to consult the publisher's version if you wish to cite from this article. www.elsevier.comContact CEH NORA team at nora@ceh.ac.ukThe NERC and CEH trade marks and logos ('the Trademarks') are registered trademarks of NERC in the UK and other countries, and may not be used without the prior written consent of the Trademark owner. Wilson et al. 1994;Réale et al. 2007). Notwithstanding a certain lack of consensus in terminology, the evolution of these analogues of human personality has evoked considerable scientific interest. Among the questions raised are by which mechanisms behavioural syndromes are inherited, how the variation is maintained, which circumstances benefit different complex phenotypes, and what are the costs and benefits of limited plasticity imposed by more or less fixed trait associations (DeWitt et al. 1998;Koolhaas et al. 1999;Sih et al. 2004; Dingemanse and Réale 2005;McElreath et al. 2007;Réale et al. 2007;Wolf et al. 2007). Furthermore, in the barn owl (Tyto Alba) melanin-based colouration is associated with several behavioural, morphological and physiological characteristics that have been linked to stress coping ability (Almasi et al. 2008).Based on observations that HR and LR trout differed in melanin pigmentation our hypothesis was that spotted fish, in the closely related specie Atlantic salmon (Salmo Salar), 5 would show a lower cortisol reponse to stress when compared to a non-spotted group of individuals. Furthermore, several documented changes in the behaviour of the two trout lines made us predict that also behaviour would differ between groups of spotted and non-spotted fish. The main focus of this study was therefore to test the hypothesis that there exist an association between melanin-based pigmentation and hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal (HPIaxis) reactivity in salmonid fish. Furthermore, we tested the prediction that behavioural differences are present in two groups of fish chosen divergently on melanin pigmentation. Materials and methods Quantification of melanin-based colorationIn the studies described below, photographs of experimental fish were captured with a Canon EOS 450D digital camera and transferred to a computer for further analyses of melanin-based coloration. Prior to photography, each fish were sedated in 200 mg/l MS-222 and placed adjacent to a measuring tape with millimetre resolution, allowing for an accurate estimation of the area where spots were counted. The d...

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“…Melanins have a wide range of functions in birds, including physical protection (Barrowclough & Sibley 1980;Burtt 1986), protection from parasites (Goldstein et al 2004), camouflage and a variety of signalling functions (Bó kony et al 2003;Jawor & Breitwisch 2003;Roulin 2004). Here I review recent studies on the molecular genetic basis of melanism in birds that provide a framework for future studies involving more complex phenotypic changes both within and between species.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A window on the genetics of evolution:MC1Rand plumage colouration in birds

2005

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Melanins are a ubiquitous component of plumage colouration in birds and serve a wide variety of functions. Although the genetic control of melanism has been studied in chickens and other domestic species, little was known about the molecular genetics of melanin distribution in wild birds until recently. Studies have now revealed that a single locus, the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) locus, is responsible for melanic polymorphisms in at least three unrelated species: the bananaquit, the snow goose and the arctic skua. Results show that melanism was a derived trait and allow other evolutionary inferences about the history of melanism to be made. The role of MC1R in plumage patterning is surprisingly diverse among different species. The conserved molecular basis for the evolution of melanism in birds and several other vertebrates is probably related to low pleiotropic effects at the MC1R.

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The evolution, maintenance and adaptive function of genetic colour polymorphism in birds

Cited by 486 publications

References 232 publications

The hawk–dove game in a sexually reproducing species explains a colourful polymorphism of an endangered bird

The hawk–dove game in a sexually reproducing species explains a colourful polymorphism of an endangered bird

Melanin-based skin spots reflect stress responsiveness in salmonid fish

A window on the genetics of evolution:MC1Rand plumage colouration in birds

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