Avian plumage colors

Finger, E.; Burkhardt, Dietrich; Dyck, Jan

doi:10.1007/bf01134442

Cited by 59 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Melanins are presumably responsible for the grey-black plumage colouration displayed by many species, and electron microscopy has revealed the presence of melanin granules in pigmentary and structurally coloured feathers (e.g. Dyck 1971aDyck , 1971bFinger et al 1992). However, little research seems to have been carried out to date on sources of variation in plumage melanin in parrots.…”

Section: Pigmentation: Psittacofulvins and Melaninsmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…The production mechanisms of structural plumage colouration have been researched fairly widely over the last several decades (reviewed in Prum 2006). The production of structural colouration in over 150 species of birds has been examined using electron microscopy (Prum 2006), including the violet, blue, green and black feathers of at least six species of parrots: the Rosy-faced Lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis; Dyck 1971aDyck , 1971bDyck , 1976Prum et al 1999;Prum 2006), the Budgerigar (Prum et al 1999), the Black Lory (Chalcopsitta atra; Finger et al 1992), the Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus; Dyck 1976), the Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna; Schmidt and Ruska 1962), the Pesquet's Parrot (Psittrichas fulgidus; Dyck 1977), and the Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans; from the present study, see Fig. 2).…”

Section: Structural Coloursmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The evolution of plumage colouration in parrots: a review

Berg

Bennett

2010

Emu - Austral Ornithology

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The plumages of parrots provide some of the most striking colouration in nature. We summarise the diversity of mechanisms producing colour in parrots and the current evidence for the adaptive significance of variation in the colour of parrot plumages. Only recently have detailed studies begun to unravel the mechanisms of their colour-production and colourvision systems. Parrots produce much of their plumage colouration through a unique suite of pigments (psittacofulvins), or through a feather tissue nanostructure that results in coherent scattering of light, or a combination of the two (producing green). Psittacofulvins are found nowhere else in nature, and may even generate fluorescence in many parrot species. Compared with other avian taxa, the adaptive significance of parrot plumage colouration remains poorly understood, although some studies suggest that plumage colouration may form important sexual signals and may be used in mate-choice by several species. There is evidence to suggest that parrot colouration can be subject to both environmental and genetic control. We emphasise that parrots offer a distinctive and useful colouration system for further study. Further research is required to unravel how the dramatic colour patterns of parrots evolved, and what roles colour signals may play in the life histories of parrots.

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Section: Pigmentation: Psittacofulvins and Melaninsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Structural Coloursmentioning

confidence: 99%

The evolution of plumage colouration in parrots: a review

Berg

Bennett

2010

Emu - Austral Ornithology

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“…The striking diversity of avian coloration is due to the remarkable morphologies of the integumental structures of birds (Finger et al, 1992). The blue color of feathers, skin, scales and bills are structurally derived through various combinations of epidermal keratinocytes, epidermal pigment cells and dermal connective tissue fibers.…”

Section: Blue Colors Of Birdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the blue coloration of vertebrates^†

Bagnara

Fernandez

Fujii

2007

Pigment Cell Research

131

144

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Summary Although the various vertebrate classes, from fishes to mammals are each distinctive, they possess many common features making it important to understand their comparative biology. One general feature that has long commanded interest is the integumental pigmentary system. Thus, much is known about particular pigment cells; however, the basis for some specific colors, such as blue, has escaped the scrutiny of the comparative approach. Regardless of Class, blue is almost always a structural color based upon incoherent or coherent scatter of blue wavelengths from the animal surface. The source of scatter may be intracellular or extra‐cellular. A main intracellular scatterer is the surface of reflecting platelets of iridophores of lower vertebrates. Extra‐cellular scatter is widespread and thought to occur from ordered dermal collagen arrays in primitive fishes, birds and mammals including humans. Among birds, feather structures provide major means for extra‐cellular light scatter. There is only one known example of blue color deriving from a blue pigment found within a pigment cell. For amphibians, reptiles and birds, the scatter of blue wavelengths, together with the presence of yellow pigmentation, is fundamental for the expression of green coloration.

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“…Avian color vision differs greatly from our own, and extends to the UV spectral region invisible to normal humans (Burkhardt 1989;Finger and Burkhardt 1992;Cuthill et al 2000). However, the feathers examined herein express a single strong reflectance band whose properties are strongly correlated over human-visible (blue) and human-invisible (near-UV) wavelengths.…”

Section: Naming Conventions For Colors and Structuresmentioning

confidence: 94%

Feathers with Ocular Architecture: Implications for Functional and Evolutionary Similarities of Visual Signals and Receptors

Bleiweiss

2009

Evol Biol

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Studies of visual receptors typically assume that only functionally similar structures are relevant to the evolution of complex eyes. This approach ignores growing evidence that different functional classes of organs often share structural and developmental patterns that pertain to biological sameness (deep homology). However, the potential relevance of non-receptor structures to eye evolution remains largely unexplored. An ''ocular'' feather color mechanism is described whose structural and optical features resemble those of chambered, image-forming eyes to a remarkable degree. These similarities include a laterally expanded, domed light receiving surface similar to that of an eye, an encapsulated spongy tissue mass whose coherent light scattering properties in the human-visible (destructive) and ultraviolet (constructive) wavelength ranges resemble those of cornea and lens, intervening spaces such as those with humors, and a laminar pigmented shelf whose structure and optics resemble a mirrored tapetum lucidum found behind many retinas. Fourier analysis and optical principles indicate that ocular structures adhere to the same lighthandling properties regardless of higher function (receptor or signal). The extent to which chambered eyes and ocular feathers have evolved independently is surprisingly equivocal. On the one hand, broad differences in the location, composition, and development of chambered eyes and ocular feather signals suggest convergent evolution on an ocular organization. However, some level of evolutionary parallelism (generative homology) between chambered eyes and ocular feathers is implicated by similarities in constructional materials, tissue development, and signal transduction cascades. Structural, optical, and developmental similarities also occur between more primitive eyes and the colored dermal papillae responsible for avian skin ornamentation. Functional constraints on light-handling requirements, coupled with developmental constraints in high-stress environments on the body surface, may enhance the similar evolutionary outcomes in the different functional setting. Regardless of the mechanistic details, repeated evolution of eye-like structures in different functional settings reveals a biological potential to produce such organs that is much greater than would be inferred from a survey of receptor structures alone.

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Avian plumage colors

Cited by 59 publications

References 5 publications

The evolution of plumage colouration in parrots: a review

The evolution of plumage colouration in parrots: a review

On the blue coloration of vertebrates^†

Feathers with Ocular Architecture: Implications for Functional and Evolutionary Similarities of Visual Signals and Receptors

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Avian plumage colors

Cited by 59 publications

References 5 publications

The evolution of plumage colouration in parrots: a review

The evolution of plumage colouration in parrots: a review

On the blue coloration of vertebrates†

Feathers with Ocular Architecture: Implications for Functional and Evolutionary Similarities of Visual Signals and Receptors

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Product

Resources

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On the blue coloration of vertebrates^†