Biliverdin-based egg coloration is enhanced by carotenoid supplementation |
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Authors: | Judith Morales Alberto Velando Roxana Torres |
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Institution: | 1.Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal,Universidade de Vigo,Vigo,Spain;2.Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Laboratorio de Conducta Animal,Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México UNAM,México,Mexico |
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Abstract: | Avian eggshell color is remarkably variable among and within species and its possible function has long been controversial.
Female birds use biliverdin pigment to color their eggs blue and green. Although evidence is accumulating that blue-green
eggshell coloration is costly to produce, the exact mechanisms underlying its expression are little studied. Biliverdin pigment
is involved in important maintenance functions such as immune and antioxidant defenses and shows similar properties to carotenoid
pigments. Carotenoids play a role as immunoenhancers and have the potential to ameliorate the impact of oxidative processes,
although their antioxidant function could be minor for some bird species. Important life-history components can be limited
by carotenoid availability, including sexual displays and fecundity. Here we explored if biliverdin-based eggshell pigmentation
was affected by carotenoid availability in a seabird, by performing a carotenoid supplementation experiment in female blue-footed
boobies (Sula nebouxii) after laying their first egg. In this species, blue eggshell color is associated with incubation patterns, and carotenoid
availability affects the crucial trade-off between female foot ornamentation and fecundity. We found that under natural conditions,
there was a decline in eggshell color with laying order, suggesting pigment limitation for females. However, carotenoid-supplemented
females had enhanced second egg coloration compared to controls, and the color increase was independent of their previous
pigment allocation to the first egg. Our results suggest that biliverdin-based eggshell coloration is costly to produce and
can be alleviated by current carotenoid availability. |
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