Structurally assisted blackness in butterfly scales

Vukusic, Peter; Sambles, J. R.; Lawrence, C. R.

doi:10.1098/rsbl.2003.0150

Cited by 127 publications

(126 citation statements)

References 8 publications

(10 reference statements)

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“…Structural coloration is observed in a diversity of animals [16][17][18], where absorbance is amplified by light scattering among neighbouring nanostructures that have spatial variation in the refractive index on the scale of optical wavelengths [19]. We asked whether pigment granules isolated from S. officinalis chromatophores also behave as structural elements of coloration.…”

Section: Isolated Pigment Granules Fluoresce In the Far-redmentioning

confidence: 99%

The structure–function relationships of a natural nanoscale photonic device in cuttlefish chromatophores

Deravi

Magyar

Sheehy

et al. 2014

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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Cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis, possess neurally controlled, pigmented chromatophore organs that allow rapid changes in skin patterning and coloration in response to visual cues. This process of adaptive coloration is enabled by the 500% change in chromatophore surface area during actuation. We report two adaptations that help to explain how colour intensity is maintained in a fully expanded chromatophore when the pigment granules are distributed maximally: (i) pigment layers as thin as three granules that maintain optical effectiveness and (ii) the presence of high-refractive-index proteins-reflectin and crystallin-in granules. The latter discovery, combined with our finding that isolated chromatophore pigment granules fluoresce between 650 and 720 nm, refutes the prevailing hypothesis that cephalopod chromatophores are exclusively pigmentary organs composed solely of ommochromes. Perturbations to granular architecture alter optical properties, illustrating a role for nanostructure in the agile, optical responses of chromatophores. Our results suggest that cephalopod chromatophore pigment granules are more complex than homogeneous clusters of chromogenic pigments. They are luminescent protein nanostructures that facilitate the rapid and sophisticated changes exhibited in dermal pigmentation.

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Section: Isolated Pigment Granules Fluoresce In the Far-redmentioning

confidence: 99%

The structure–function relationships of a natural nanoscale photonic device in cuttlefish chromatophores

Deravi

Magyar

Sheehy

et al. 2014

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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“…Here we suggest that the combination of pigmentary and structural mechanisms on incident light reflections warrant close attention, because this interplay may be crucially important for the spectral composition of a signal and the information it may convey. Despite being mentioned recently in the literature (Grether et al 2004;Vukusic et al 2004) this idea has only just begun to be addressed empirically (Shawkey & Hill 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pterin pigments amplify iridescent ultraviolet signal in males of the orange sulphur butterfly,Colias eurytheme

et al. 2005

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Animal colouration is typically the product of nanostructures that reflect or scatter light and pigments that absorb it. The interplay between these colour-producing mechanisms may influence the efficacy and potential information content of colour signals, but this notion has received little empirical attention. Wing scales in the male orange sulphur butterfly (Colias eurytheme) possess ridges with lamellae that produce a brilliant iridescent ultraviolet (UV) reflectance via thin-film interference. Curiously, these same scales contain pterin pigments that strongly absorb wavelengths below 550 nm. Given that male UV reflectance functions as a sexual signal in C. eurytheme, it is paradoxical that pigments in the wing scales are highly UV absorbing. We present spectrophotometric analyses of the wings before and after pterin removal that show that pterins both depress the amplitude of UV iridescence and suppress a diffuse UV reflectance that emanates from the scales. This latter effect enhances the directionality and spectral purity of the iridescence, and increases the signal's chromaticity and potential signal content. Our findings also suggest that pterins amplify the contrast between iridescent UV reflectance and scale background colour as a male's wings move during flight.

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“…However, recent work has highlighted the importance of understanding both the scattering and absorptive properties of coloured traits (Grether et al 2004;Vukusic et al 2004;Rutowski et al 2005;Shawkey & Hill 2005;Morehouse et al 2007) because variations in either scattering efficiency and/or concentration of pigment molecules can result in distinct optical effects.…”

Section: Pigments and Incoherently Scattering Tissuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More complex interactions between diffusely scattering tissues and pigments have also been identified. For example, Vukusic et al (2004) investigated the highly absorbing black coloured scale region that forms the border around the central saturated blue wing colour of the butterfly P. ulysses. In these extremely absorbing scales, highly disordered filaments of melanin-packed cuticle are responsible for creating a high absorption cross section that results in increased light absorbance and the scale's optically black appearance.…”

Section: Pigments and Incoherently Scattering Tissuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A protean palette: colour materials and mixing in birds and butterflies

Shawkey

Morehouse

Vukusic

2009

J. R. Soc. Interface.

129

147

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While typically classified as either 'structural' or 'pigmentary', bio-optical tissues of terrestrial animals are rarely homogeneous and typically contain both a structural material such as keratin or chitin and one or more pigments. These base materials interact physically and chemically to create colours. Combinations of structured base materials and embedded pigment molecules often interact optically to produce unique colours and optical properties. Therefore, to understand the mechanics and evolution of bio-optical tissues it is critical to understand their material properties, both in isolation and in combination. Here, we review the optics and evolution of coloured tissues with a focus on their base materials, using birds and butterflies as exemplar taxa owing to the strength of our current knowledge of colour production in these animals. We first review what is known of their base materials, and then discuss the consequences of these interactions from an optical perspective. Finally, we suggest directions for future research on colour optics and evolution that will be invaluable as we move towards a fuller understanding of colour in the natural world.

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Structurally assisted blackness in butterfly scales

Cited by 127 publications

References 8 publications

The structure–function relationships of a natural nanoscale photonic device in cuttlefish chromatophores

The structure–function relationships of a natural nanoscale photonic device in cuttlefish chromatophores

Pterin pigments amplify iridescent ultraviolet signal in males of the orange sulphur butterfly,Colias eurytheme

A protean palette: colour materials and mixing in birds and butterflies

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