Dataset Information

Environmental and genetic effects on pigment-based vs. structural component of yellow feather colouration.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Carotenoid plumage is of widespread use in bird communication. Carotenoid-based feather colouration has recently been shown to be dependent on both pigment concentration and feather structure. If these two components are determined differently, one plumage patch may potentially convey different aspects of individual quality.

Methodology/principal findings

We evaluated the effects of genetic and environmental factors on carotenoid-based yellow breast colouration of Great Tit (Parus major) nestlings. By partial cross-fostering, we separated the genetic and pre-natal vs. post-natal parental effects on both the structural and the pigment-based component of carotenoid-based plumage colouration. We also simultaneously manipulated the post-hatching environment by brood size manipulation. The structural component of nestling colouration reflected features of female colouration. On the other hand, the pigment-based component was more affected by rearing conditions presumably representing food quality. While the structural component was related to both origin- and environment-related factors, the pigment-based component seemed to be environment-dependent only. These results support the notion that pigment-based and structural components of feather colouration are determined differently.

Conclusions/significance

Chromatic and achromatic components of carotenoid-based feather colouration reflected different aspects of individual quality and history, and thus may potentially form a multicomponent signal.

SUBMITTER: Matrkova J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3349711 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Environmental and genetic effects on pigment-based vs. structural component of yellow feather colouration.

Matrková Jana J Remeš Vladimír V

PloS one 20120510 5

<h4>Background</h4>Carotenoid plumage is of widespread use in bird communication. Carotenoid-based feather colouration has recently been shown to be dependent on both pigment concentration and feather structure. If these two components are determined differently, one plumage patch may potentially convey different aspects of individual quality.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>We evaluated the effects of genetic and environmental factors on carotenoid-based yellow breast colouration of Great ...[more]

PMID: 22590581

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Project description:BackgroundGlobal regression models under an implicit assumption of spatial stationarity were commonly applied to estimate the environmental effects on aquatic species distribution. However, the relationships between species distribution and environmental variables may change among spatial locations, especially at large spatial scales with complicated habitat. Local regression models are appropriate supplementary tools to explore species-environment relationships at finer scales.MethodWe applied geographically weighted regression (GWR) models on Yellow Perch in Lake Erie to estimate spatially-varying environmental effects on the presence probabilities of this species. Outputs from GWR were compared with those from generalized additive models (GAMs) in exploring the Yellow Perch distribution. Local regression coefficients from the GWR were mapped to visualize spatially-varying species-environment relationships. K-means cluster analyses based on the t-values of GWR local regression coefficients were used to characterize the distinct zones of ecological relationships.ResultsGeographically weighted regression resulted in a significant improvement over the GAM in goodness-of-fit and accuracy of model prediction. Results from the GWR revealed the magnitude and direction of environmental effects on Yellow Perch distribution changed among spatial locations. Consistent species-environment relationships were found in the west and east basins for adults. The different kinds of species-environment relationships found in the central management unit (MU) implied the variation of relationships at a scale finer than the MU.ConclusionsThis study draws attention to the importance of accounting for spatial nonstationarity in exploring species-environment relationships. The GWR results can provide support for identification of unique stocks and potential refinement of the current jurisdictional MU structure toward more ecologically relevant MUs for the sustainable management of Yellow Perch in Lake Erie.

Dataset Information

Environmental and genetic effects on pigment-based vs. structural component of yellow feather colouration.

Background

Methodology/principal findings

Conclusions/significance

Publications

Environmental and genetic effects on pigment-based vs. structural component of yellow feather colouration.

Similar Datasets

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