Reaction–diffusion models of within-feather pigmentation patterning

Prum, Richard O.; Williamson, Scott

doi:10.1098/rspb.2001.1896

Cited by 78 publications

(114 citation statements)

References 29 publications

(74 reference statements)

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“…The margins of the bands match isochronic sections in melanin pigment patterning in modern feathers (Prum & Williamson 2001, 2002, indicating that these colour bands are not preservation artefacts. Relief on the fossil defines the rachis, barbs and rarely barbules, and reveals places where the barbules were 'unzipped'.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Textures in the imprints of these feathers suggest that oblate structures were originally present (Davis & Briggs 1995, figure 2b), and the carbon coating has presumably been lost due to oxidation, except in the single isolated feather, which is still carbonaceous. Different shapes and arrangements of melanosomes in bird feathers are associated with different colours, including black, brown, red, buff and even iridescent structural colours (Prum & Williamson 2002;McGraw 2006;Prum 2006). Our discovery of melanosomes in a fossil feather therefore opens up the possibility of predicting feather colour in ancient birds and perhaps in other theropod dinosaurs, with obvious implications for understanding their ecology and behaviour.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Melanins are synthesized within membrane-bound, lysosome-like organelles called melanosomes inside pigment cells called melanocytes (Marks & Seabra 2001). The melanosomes are then transferred to keratinocytes during feather morphogenesis to create pigmentation patterning (Durrer 1986;Prum & Williamson 2001, 2002. Laminar nanoscale organization of melanosomes in feather barbules produces iridescent structural coloration in many birds (Prum 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The colour of fossil feathers

et al. 2008

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Feathers are complex integumentary appendages of birds and some other theropod dinosaurs. They are frequently coloured and function in camouflage and display. Previous investigations have concluded that fossil feathers are preserved as carbonized traces composed of feather-degrading bacteria. Here, an investigation of a colour-banded feather from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation of Brazil revealed that the dark bands are preserved as elongate, oblate carbonaceous bodies 1–2 μm long, whereas the light bands retain only relief traces on the rock matrix. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis showed that the dark bands preserve a substantial amount of carbon, whereas the light bands show no carbon residue. Comparison of these oblate fossil bodies with the structure of black feathers from a living bird indicates that they are the eumelanin-containing melanosomes. We conclude that most fossil feathers are preserved as melanosomes, and that the distribution of these structures in fossil feathers can preserve the colour pattern in the original feather. The discovery of preserved melanosomes opens up the possibility of interpreting the colour of extinct birds and other dinosaurs.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The colour of fossil feathers

et al. 2008

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“…Although fitness effects of the melanic polymorphisms studied here are incompletely understood, in general these polymorphisms are expected to have important effects on fitness, as found, for example, in buzzard (Buteo buteo; Lank et al 1995;Krü ger et al 2001), ruff (Philomachus pugnax; Lank et al 1995) and feral pigeons (Columba livia; Murton et al 1974). None of the examples discussed above involve conspicuous changes in phaeomelanin distribution and there is very little information on molecular genetic mechanisms affecting carotenoid distribution, structural colouration, sexually dimorphic traits and within feather patterning (Prum & Williamson 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A window on the genetics of evolution:MC1Rand plumage colouration in birds

2005

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Melanins are a ubiquitous component of plumage colouration in birds and serve a wide variety of functions. Although the genetic control of melanism has been studied in chickens and other domestic species, little was known about the molecular genetics of melanin distribution in wild birds until recently. Studies have now revealed that a single locus, the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) locus, is responsible for melanic polymorphisms in at least three unrelated species: the bananaquit, the snow goose and the arctic skua. Results show that melanism was a derived trait and allow other evolutionary inferences about the history of melanism to be made. The role of MC1R in plumage patterning is surprisingly diverse among different species. The conserved molecular basis for the evolution of melanism in birds and several other vertebrates is probably related to low pleiotropic effects at the MC1R.

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“…This was dealt earlier by Murray (1993). Recently, Prum also applied reaction diffusion to make a theoretical model of feather pigment patterns (Prum and Williamson, 2002). However, some pigment patterns are also controlled by enhancer regions as shown by differences in the Droopy Ear mouse mutant.…”

Section: Periodic Patterningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distinct mechanisms underlie pattern formation in the skin and skin appendages

Widelitz

Baker²,

Plikus

et al. 2006

Birth Defects Research Pt C

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SummaryPatterns form with the break of homogeneity, leading to the emergence of new structure or arrangement. There are different physiological and pathological mechanisms which lead to the formation of patterns. Here we first introduce the basics of pattern formation and their possible biological basis. We then discuss different categories of skin patterns and their potential underlying molecular mechanisms. Some patterns, such as the lines of Blaschko and naevus, are based on cell lineage and genetic mosaicism. Other patterns, such as regional specific skin appendages, can be set by distinct combinatorial molecular codes, which in turn may be set by morphogenetic gradients. There are also some patterns, such as the arrangement of hair follicles (hair whorls) and fingerprints, which involve genetics as well as stochastic epigenetic events based on physical-chemical principles. Many appendage primordia are laid out in developmental waves. In the adult, some patterns, such as those involving cycling hair follicles, may appear as traveling waves in mutant mice. Since skin appendages can renew themselves in regeneration, their size and shape can still change in the adult via regulation by hormones and the environment. Some lesion patterns are based on pathological changes involving the above processes and can be used as diagnostic criteria in medicine. Understanding the different mechanisms which lead to patterns on the skin will help us appreciate their full significance in morphogenesis and medical research. Much remains to be learned about complex pattern formation, a level between molecular biology and organism phenotypes.

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Reaction–diffusion models of within-feather pigmentation patterning

Cited by 78 publications

References 29 publications

The colour of fossil feathers

The colour of fossil feathers

A window on the genetics of evolution:MC1Rand plumage colouration in birds

Distinct mechanisms underlie pattern formation in the skin and skin appendages

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