Tryptophan derivatives and pigment in the hair of some australian marsupials

Nicholls, E. M.; Rienits, K.G.

doi:10.1016/0020-711x(71)90031-0

Cited by 16 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…While this functions as a protection against the harmful effects of UV light, it might also influence visual signaling, since it changes UV reflectance of the skin, and some reef fish species can see in the UV (Zamzov and Losey 2002). In some mammals, secretions from integumentary glands color the surrounding pelage, thereby acting as a visual signal, most notably among some marsupials and bats (Nicholls and Rienits 1971;Vevers 1964). Similarly, the hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) produces a striking "red sweat" that temporarily colors the animal red (Saikawa et al 2004).…”

Section: Concluding Remarks and Suggestions For Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 98%

Cosmetic Coloration in Birds: Occurrence, Function, and Evolution

Delhey

Peters

Kempenaers

2007

The American Naturalist

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Colorful plumages are conspicuous social signals in birds, and the expression of these colors often reflects the quality of their bearers. Since mature feathers are dead structures, plumage color is often considered a static signal that does not change after molt. Feathers, however, can and do deteriorate between molts, and birds need to invest heavily in plumage maintenance. Here we argue that this need for preserving plumage condition and hence signaling content might have given rise to a novel type of sexual signal: cosmetic coloration. Cosmetic coloration occurs when the substances used for plumage maintenance change the color of the feathers, thereby becoming a signal themselves. Our review of cosmetic coloration in birds demonstrates that it is more widespread than currently realized, occurring in at least 13 bird families. Cosmetics have varied origins: they can be produced by the bird itself (uropygial and skin secretions, feather powder) or obtained from the environment (soil, iron oxide). Intraspecific patterns of cosmetic use (sex, age, and seasonal dimorphism) suggest that in many cases it may act as a sexual signal. However, more information is required on function, mechanisms, and costs to understand the evolution of cosmetic coloration and to confirm its signaling role.

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Section: Concluding Remarks and Suggestions For Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 98%

Cosmetic Coloration in Birds: Occurrence, Function, and Evolution

Delhey

Peters

Kempenaers

2007

The American Naturalist

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“…The enzyme catalyzing 3-HAA oxidation in S. antibioticus, phenoxazinone synthase, was recently proposed as a new member of the blue copper oxidase family [8]. Phenoxazinone chromophores are also used as pigments by such diverse oganisms as insects, fungi and Australian marsupials [9][10][11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laccase‐mediated formation of the phenoxazinone derivative, cinnabarinic acid

et al. 1995

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The phenoxazinone chromophore occurs in a variety of biological systems, including numerous pigments and certain antibiotics. It also appears to form as part of a mechanism to protect mammalian tissue from oxidative damage. During cultivation of the basidiomycete, Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, a red pigment was observed to accumulate in the culture medium. It was identified as the phenoxazinone derivative, cinnabarinic acid (CA). Laccase was the predominant extracellular phenoloxidase activity in P. cinnabarinus cultures. In vitro studies showed that CA was formed after oxidation of the precursor, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HAA), by laccases. Moreover, oxidative coupling of 3-HAA to form CA was also demonstrated for the mammalian counterpart of laccase, the blue copper oxidase, ceruloplasmin.

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“…These compounds lack UV reflectance, and their coloration may signal characteristics of the mucus, but also individual quality in terms of the capacity for obtaining food sources rich in UV-blockers [94]. In mammals, the red kangaroo (Megaleia rufa) and the grey possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) have coloured patches in the pelage owing to the secretion of integumentary glands [95], being a sexually dimorphic character due to cosmetic coloration. Two studies in birds have shown how the plumage colour change owing to deliberate staining of the cosmetic (by using iron-red soils or uropygial secretion) may help individuals to communicate their quality [50,53] in scenarios of social communication, including mate choice [50].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cosmetic coloration of cross-fostered eggs affects paternal investment in the hoopoe (Upupa epops)

et al. 2021

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The signalling hypothesis suggests that avian eggshell coloration is a sexually selected female signal advertising her quality to its male partner, thereby stimulating his provisioning rate. This hypothesis has been tested for structural eggshell pigments, but not for cosmetic colorations, such as that produced by the uropygial secretion on eggshells. During the breeding season, female hoopoes ( Upupa epops ) host in their uropygial glands symbiotic bacteria. Females actively smear the eggshells with their secretion, protecting embryos from pathogenic trans-shell infections and changing eggshell coloration. Because the colour of the secretions is related to their antimicrobial potential, cosmetic eggshell coloration may act as a cue or even as a post-mating sexually selected signal if it affects male provisioning rates. To experimentally test this hypothesis, we cross-fostered already-smeared clutches between hoopoe nests, and quantified male feeding behaviour to females before and after the experiment. This approach allows disentanglement of the effects of female quality and of egg coloration on male investment. In accordance with the hypothesis, males adjusted their provisioning rate to the eggshell cosmetic coloration. This is, to our knowledge, the first experimental demonstration that egg colour stained with uropygial secretion could act as a post-mating sexual signal of female quality to males.

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Tryptophan derivatives and pigment in the hair of some australian marsupials

Cited by 16 publications

References 8 publications

Cosmetic Coloration in Birds: Occurrence, Function, and Evolution

Cosmetic Coloration in Birds: Occurrence, Function, and Evolution

Laccase‐mediated formation of the phenoxazinone derivative, cinnabarinic acid

Cosmetic coloration of cross-fostered eggs affects paternal investment in the hoopoe (Upupa epops)

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