Pubblicazione scientifica

Carotenoid-based coloration in cichlid fishes

FILONE TECNOLOGICO	TEMA
produzione e raccolta
trasformazione e commercializzazione

RIASSUNTO

Animal colors play important roles in communication, ecological interactions and speciation. Carotenoid pigments are responsible for many yellow, orange and red hues in animals. Whereas extensive knowledge on the proximate mechanisms underlying carotenoid coloration in birds has led to testable hypotheses on avian color evolution and signaling, much less is known about the expression of carotenoid coloration in fishes. Here, we promote cichlid fishes (Perciformes: Cichlidae) as a system in which to study the physiological and evolutionary significance of carotenoids. Cichlids include some of the best examples of adaptive radiation and color pattern diversification in vertebrates. In this paper, we examine fitness correlates of carotenoid pigmentation in cichlids and review hypotheses regarding the signal content of carotenoid-based ornaments. Carotenoid-based coloration is influenced by diet and body condition and is positively related to mating success and social dominance. Gaps in our knowledge are discussed in the last part of this review, particularly in the understanding of carotenoid metabolism pathways and the genetics of carotenoid coloration. We suggest that carotenoid metabolism and transport are important proximate mechanisms responsible for individual and population-differences in cichlid coloration that may ultimately contribute to diversification and speciation.

DATA

Data di pubblicazione: 01/07/2014

AUTORI

SEFC KRISTINA M
BROWN ALEXANDRIA C
CLOTFELTER ETHAN D

ENTE DI AFFERENZA

INST ZOOLOGY UNIV GRAZ
DEPT BIOLOGY AMHERST COLLEGE AMHERST MA 01002 USA
GRADUATE PROGRAM IN ORGANISMIC & EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY UNIV MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST MA 01003 USA

RIVISTA

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 173(100), 42-51

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