Sexually dimorphic melanin‐based colour polymorphism,feather melanin content,and wing feather structure in the barn owl (Tyto alba)

Feathers confer protection against biophysical agents and determine flying ability. The geometry and arrangement of the barbs, together with the keratin and pigments deposited in the feathers, determine the mechanical stability of the vane, and its stiffness and resistance to abrasive agents. In colour‐polymorphic species, individuals display alternative colour morphs, which can be associated with different foraging strategies. Each morph may therefore require specific flying abilities, and their feathers may be exposed to different abrasive agents. Feathers of differently coloured individuals may thus have a specific structure, and colour pigments may help resist abrasive agents and improve stiffness. We examined these predictions in the barn owl (Tyto alba), a species for which the ventral body side varies from white to dark reddish pheomelanic, and in the number and size of black spots located at the tip of the feathers. White and reddish birds show different foraging strategies, and the size of black feather spots is associated with several phenotypic attributes. We found that birds displaying a darker reddish coloration on the ventral body side deposit more melanin pigments in their remiges, which also have fewer barbs. This suggests that wear resistance increases with darkness, whereas feathers of lighter coloured birds may bend less easily. Accordingly, individuals displaying a lighter reddish coloration on the ventral body side, and those displaying larger black spots, displayed more black transverse bars on their remiges: as larger‐spotted individuals are heavier and longer‐winged birds also have more transverse bars, these bars may reduce feather bending when flying. We conclude that differently coloured individuals produce wing feathers of different strengths to adopt alternative behavioural and life history strategies. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 109 , 562–573.     

A new species of Petroleuciscus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Büyük Menderes River,southwestern Anatolia,Turkey

Petroleuciscus ninae sp. nov. is described from the Büyük Menderes River drainage. The new species is distinguished by having a black lateral stripe from head to base of caudal fin, stripe distinct anteriorly and posteriorly, wider than eye diameter; numerous black pigments on anal‐fin rays; body depth at dorsal‐fin origin 27–30% standard length (L_S); head width at posterior margin of eye 16–19% L_S; and eye diameter smaller than snout length. Petroleuciscus ninae is also distinguished from other species in adjacent waters by having six fixed diagnostic nucleotide substitutions in the mitochondrial DNA coI barcode region.     

Isolation and characterization of melanin pigment from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pleurotus cystidiosus</Emphasis> (telomorph of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Antromycopsis</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">macrocarpa</Emphasis>)

Melanins are enigmatic pigments that are produced by a wide variety of microorganisms including several species of bacteria and fungi. For more than 40 years, fungi have been known to produce pigments called melanins. Melanin pigment production by mushrooms was not intensively studied. The present study was carried out on isolation and characterization of melanin from an edible mushroom Pleurotus cystidiosus var. formosensis. The mushroom produced dark mucous mass of hyaline arthrospores on mycelium. The coremia exclusively produced dikaryotic arthrospores with the remnant of a clamp connection. Continuous cell extension and division in the coremium stipe supplied cells for arthroconidiation at the coremium apex, which is surrounded by a liquid droplet (coremioliquid). The black coloured coremea (conidia) were produced by Antromycopsis macrocarpa (anamorph of P. cystidiosus) when cultured on potato dextrose agar medium. The agar plate was incubated at continuous light illumination for high amount of pigment (coremea) production. The slimy layer of the coremea was extracted and partially purified by alkaline and acid treatment. The black pigment was confirmed as melanin based on UV, IR and EPR spectra apart from chemical analysis. This is the first report on characterization of melanin obtained from Pleurotus cystidiosus var. formosensis.     

Ultraviolet B screening potential is higher in two cosmopolitan moss species than in a co-occurring Antarctic endemic moss: implications of continuing ozone depletion

Concentrations of UVB (ultraviolet B) absorbing pigments and anthocyanins were measured in three moss species, over a summer growing season in Antarctica. Pigment concentrations were compared with a range of climatic variables to determine if there was evidence that pigments were induced by UVB radiation, or other environmental parameters, and secondly if there were differences between species in their pigment responses. Significant seasonal differences in the potential UVB screening pigments were found, with the two cosmopolitan species Bryum pseudotriquetrum and Ceratodon purpureus appearing better protected from the potentially damaging effects of ozone depletion than the Antarctic endemic Schistidium antarctici. B. pseudotriquetrum accumulated the highest concentration of UVB screening pigments and showed positive associations between UVB radiation and both UVB absorbing and anthocyanin pigments. The negative associations between water availability measures and UVB absorbing and anthocyanin pigments also suggest that B. pseudotriquetrum is well protected in the desiccated state. This could offer B. pseudotriquetrum an advantage over the other species when high UVB radiation coincides with low temperatures and low water availability, thus limiting physiological activity and consequently, active photoprotective and repair mechanisms. As these pigments could act as either direct UVB screens or antioxidants, the results suggest that B. pseudotriquetrum is best equipped to deal with the negative effects of increased exposure to UVB radiation due to ozone depletion. The most exposed species, C. purpureus, has intermediate and stable concentrations of UVB absorbing pigments suggesting it may rely on constitutive UVB screens. Anthocyanin pigments were more responsive in this species and could offer increased antioxidant protection during periods of high UVB radiation. S. antarctici appears poorly protected and showed no evidence of any UV photoprotective response, providing additional evidence that this endemic is more vulnerable to climate change.     

Heightened Condition Dependence of a Sexually Selected Signal in Male Polistes dominulus Paper Wasps

Sexually selected signals are theoretically expected to exhibit heightened condition dependence compared to non‐signaling traits. This link to condition enables sexual signals to provide information regarding individual quality and also provides a mechanism that allows animals to develop signals that accurately reflect their abilities. Most previous work on sexual signal condition dependence has focused on signals that have clear developmental costs, while less is known about the development of other types of quality signals. Male Polistes dominulus paper wasps have yellow‐on‐black abdominal spots that are important signals during female choice and male–male competition. These signals lack obvious production costs, as males are covered in yellow and black patterns composed of the same pigments. Here, we assess signal condition dependence by testing whether larval diet has a stronger influence on the development of male spots than on the development of control traits composed of the same pigments. Males reared on ad libitum diets developed elliptical spots similar to those seen on dominant, attractive males, while males reared on restricted diets developed irregularly shaped spots similar to those seen on subordinate, unattractive males. Remarkably, the development of a control trait composed of the same yellow and black pigments was not influenced by larval diet. Therefore, sexually selected signals can be developmentally decoupled from traits comprised of the same pigments. Condition dependence of sexually selected signals is likely to be a widespread solution to the challenge of developing sexually selected signals that accurately convey information about individual quality.     

Chromatic adaptation in lichen phyco- and photobionts

The effect of light quality on the photosynthetic pigments as chromatic adaptation in 8 species of lichens were examined. The chlorophylls, carotenoids in 5 species with green algae as phycobionts (Cladonia mitis, Hypogymnia physodes, H. tubulosa var. tubulosa and subtilis, Flavoparmelia caperata, Xanthoria parietina) and the chlorophyll a, carotenoids and phycobiliprotein pigments in 3 species with cyanobacteria as photobionts (Peltigera canina, P. polydactyla, P. rufescens) were determined. The total content of photosynthetic pigments was calculated according to the formule and particular pigments were determined by means CC, TLC, HPLC and IEC chromatography. The total content of the photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls, carotenoids) in the thalli was highest in red light (genus Peltigera), yellow light (Xanthoria parietina), green light (Cladonia mitis) and at blue light (Flavoparmelia caperata and both species of Hypogymnia). The biggest content of the biliprotein pigments at red and blue lights was observed. The concentration of C-phycocyanin increased at red light, whereas C-phycoerythrin at green light.     

In vitro culture of callus tissues and cell suspensions from okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.) and cotton (gossypium hirsutum L.)

Summary Methods are described for starting and maintaining callus-tissue cultures of twoMalvaceae, okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Okra callus was slow to initiate, but once started it was easy to maintain, in contrast to cotton, which was difficult to initiate and grow. Different media were required to establish the two species. The inclusion of 5 mg per liter of ascorbic acid aided in reducing the formation of black pigments in cotton callus. Hypocotyls of sterile young okra seedlings and leaves of cotton plants were used to produce the callus tissue. Rapidly growing cell suspensions of okra and cotton were obtained in B5 medium.     

Dietary carotenoids change the colour of Southern corroboree frogs

Animal coloration can be the result of many interconnected elements, including the production of colour‐producing molecules de novo, as well as the acquisition of pigments from the diet. When acquired through the diet, carotenoids (a common class of pigments) can influence yellow, orange, and red coloration and enhanced levels of carotenoids can result in brighter coloration and/or changes in hue or saturation. We tested the hypothesis that dietary carotenoid supplementation changes the striking black and yellow coloration of the southern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne corroboree, Amphibia: Anura). Our dietary treatment showed no measurable difference in colour or brightness for black patches in frogs. However, the reflectance of yellow patches of frogs raised on a diet rich in carotenoids was more saturated (higher chroma) and long‐wave shifted in hue (more orange) compared to that of frogs raised without carotenoids. Interestingly, frogs with carotenoid‐poor diets still developed their characteristic yellow and black coloration, suggesting that their yellow colour patches are a product of pteridines manufactured de novo.     

Studio sulla colorazione da antocianidine in alcune specie della flora italiana

Abstract

Flower colour and anthocyanidin pigments in some species of the Italian flora.—The anthocyanidin pigments, cyanidin and peonidin, of Corydalis cava and C. solida have been identified. The chromatic variation of C. cava is due to quantitative variation of the pigments. Only quantitative differences exist between the two species C. cava and C. solida. The pigments are absent in the white flowers.

The pigments of Pulmonaria visianii in all flower ages are delphinidin, petunidin and malvidin. The blueing of flowers with ageing depends on pH; being 5.6 for red, 6.0 for purple and 6.7 for blue flowers.     

Production of water-soluble yellow pigments via high glucose stress fermentation of Monascus ruber CGMCC 10910

Monascus pigments are secondary metabolites of Monascus species and are mainly composed of yellow pigments, orange pigments and red pigments. In this study, a larger proportion of Monascus yellow pigments could be obtained through the selection of the carbon source. Hydrophilic yellow pigments can be largely produced extracellularly by Monascus ruber CGMCC 10910 under conditions of high glucose fermentation with low oxidoreduction potential (ORP). However, keeping high glucose levels later in the culture causes translation or a reduction of yellow pigment. We presume that the mechanism behind this phenomenon may be attributed to the redox level of the culture broth and the high glucose stress reaction of M. ruber CGMCC 10910 during high glucose fermentation. These yellow pigments were produced via high glucose bio-fermentation without citrinin. Therefore, these pigments can act as natural pigments for applications as food additives.

     

Butterfly wing pattern mutants: developmental heterochrony and co-ordinately regulated phenotypes

Butterfly wings are colored late in development, when pigments are synthesized in specialized wing scale cells in a fixed developmental succession. In this succession, colored pigments are deposited first and the remaining areas are later melanized black or brown. Here we studied the developmental changes underlying two wing pattern mutants, firstly melanic mutants of the swallowtail Papilio glaucus, in which the yellow background is turned black, and secondly a Spotty mutant of the satyrid Bicyclus anynana, which carries two additional eyespots. Despite the very different pattern changes in these two mutants, they are both associated with changes in rates of scale development and correspondingly, the final color pattern. In the melanic swallowtail, background scales originally destined to become yellow (normally developing early and synthesizing papiliochrome) show delayed development, fail to make papiliochrome, and subsequently melanize at the same time as scales in the wild-type black pattern. In the B. anynana eyespot, scale maturation begins with the central white focus, then progresses to the surrounding gold ring and later finishes with melanization of the black center. Mutants showing additional eyespots display accelerated rates of scale development (corresponding to new eyespots) in wing cells not normally occupied by eyespots. Thus by either delaying or accelerating rates of scale development, the final color, or position, of a wing pattern element can be changed. We propose that this heterochrony of scale development is a basic mechanism of color pattern formation on which developmental mutants act to change lepidopteran color patterns. Received: 20 April 2000 / Accepted: 19 July 2000     

Tuning of photoreceptor spectral sensitivity in fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Sexual communication between male and female fireflies involves the visual detection of species-specific bioluminescent signals. Firefly species vary spectrally in both their emitted light and in the sensitivity of the eye, depending on the time when each is active. Tuning of spectral sensitivity in three firefly species that occupy different photic niches was investigated using light and electron microscopy, microspectrophotometry, and intracellular recording to characterize the location and spectral absorption of the screening pigments that filter incoming light, the visual pigments that receive this filtered light, and the visual spectral sensitivity. Twilight-active species had similar pink screening pigments, but the visual pigment of Photinus pyralis peaked near 545 nm, while that of P. scintillans had a λ_max near 557 nm. The night-active Photuris versicolor had a yellow screening pigment that was uniquely localized, while its visual pigment was similar to that of P. pyralis. These results show that both screening and visual pigments vary among species. Modeling of spectral tuning indicates that the combination of screening and visual pigments found in the retina of each species provides the best possible match of sensitivity to bioluminescent emission. This combination also produced model sensitivity spectra that closely resemble sensitivities measured either with electroretinographic or intracellular techniques. Vision in both species of Photinus appears to be evolutionarily tuned for maximum discrimination of conspecific signals from spectrally broader backgrounds. Ph. versicolor, on the other hand, appears to have a visual system that offers a compromise between maximum sensitivity to, and maximum discrimination of, their signals. Accepted: 29 September 1999     

Interspecific variation in the visual pigments of deep-sea fishes

Summary Visual pigments in the rods of 38 species of deep-sea fish were examined by microspectrophotometry. 33 species were found to have a single rhodopsin with a wavelength of maximum absorbance ( _max) in the range 470–495 nm. Such visual pigments have absorbance maxima close to the wavelengths of maximum spectral transmission of oceanic water. 5 species, however, did not conform to this pattern and visual pigments were found with _max values ranging from 451 nm to 539 nm. In 4 of these species two visual pigments were found located in two types of rod. Some 2-pigment species which have unusual red sensitivity, also have red-emitting photophores. These species have both rhodopsin and porphyropsin pigments in their retinae, which was confirmed by HPLC, and the two pigments are apparently located in separate rods in the same retinal area. In deep-sea fishes the occurrence of unusual visual pigments seems to be correlated with aspects of the species' depth ranges. In addition to ecological influences we present evidence, in the form of _max spectral clustering, that indicates the degree of molecular constraint imposed on the evolution of visual pigments in the deep-sea.     

Pigmentation and autofluorescence of Cryptococcus species after growth on tryptophan and anthranilic acid media

Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans produced a pink pigment from media containing tryptophan. Approximately 30% of the C. neoformans strains produced large amounts of the pink (purple after 6 days) pigment in the absence of light whereas 70% of the Cryptococcus neoformans strains, as well as C. laurentii, C. albidus, C. diffluens, and C. albicans also produced the pink pigment with light being required for significant early production (2–6 days). Significant production did occur for Cryptococcus but not Candida species in the dark after extended incubation (10–25 days). C. terreus produced brown pigments from tryptophan and C. luteolus produced a trace of a buff pigment. Most Candida species produced either pink or brown pigments but not both. In contrast, many Cryptococcus species producing the pink pigment simultaneously produced brown pigments. C. terreus, C. albidus, and C. diffluens produced brown pigments from anthranilic acid whereas C. neoformans, C. laurentii, C. luteolus, and the medically important Candida species did not produce significant amounts of pigments from anthranilic acid. Cryptococcus and Candida species were autofluorescent when tryptophan was a major nitrogen source whereas yeast cell autofluorescence was not observed when anthranilic acid was used. Pigmentation of some Cryptococcus species also the substrate.Operated for the U.S. Department of Energy under contract number EY-76-C-05-0033This article is based on work supported by the Division of Biomedical and Environmental Research.     

Fungal pigments inhibit the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis of darkly pigmented fungi

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI–TOF MS) has been used to discriminate moniliaceous fungal species; however, darkly pigmented fungi yield poor fingerprint mass spectra that contain few peaks of low relative abundance. In this study, the effect of dark fungal pigments on the observed MALDI mass spectra was investigated. Peptide and protein samples containing varying concentrations of synthetic melanin or fungal pigments extracted from Aspergillus niger were analyzed by MALDI–TOF and MALDI–qTOF (quadrupole TOF) MS. Signal suppression was observed in samples containing greater than 250 ng/μl pigment. Microscopic examination of the MALDI sample deposit was usually heterogeneous, with regions of high pigment concentration appearing as black. Acquisition of MALDI mass spectra from these darkly pigmented regions of the sample deposit yielded poor or no [M+H]⁺ ion signal. In contrast, nonpigmented regions within the sample deposit and hyphal negative control extracts of A. niger were not inhibited. This study demonstrated that dark fungal pigments inhibited the desorption/ionization process during MALDI–MS; however, these fungi may be successfully analyzed by MALDI–TOF MS when culture methods that suppress pigment expression are used. The addition of tricyclazole to the fungal growth media blocks fungal melanin synthesis and results in less melanized fungi that may be analyzed by MALDI–TOF MS.     

Phytochemical fingerprinting to thwart black cohosh adulteration: a 15 Actaea species analysis

Introduction – The popular use of black cohosh products (Actaea racemosa L., syn. Cimicifuga racemosa L.) is growing as the demand for alternatives to estrogen therapy has increased. Critical to safe use is the assurance of unadulterated, high‐quality products. Questions have been raised about the safety of black cohosh due to cases of liver toxicity in patients who reported taking it; subsequent evaluation found some products to be adulterated with other related herbal species. Correct plant species identification is a key first step for good manufacturing practices of safe black cohosh products. Objectives – To develop analytical methods which distinguish black cohosh from other species (American and Asian) of Actaea increasingly found as adulterants in commercially available black cohosh products. Material and methods – Fifteen species of Actaea were collected from North America and Asia, and the phytochemical fingerprints of these samples were established using HPLC‐PDA and LC‐MS techniques. Results – The HPLC and LC‐MS fingerprints for polyphenols and triterpene glycosides revealed distinct patterns that make black cohosh clearly distinguishable from most other species of Actaea. Two marker compounds, cimifugin and cimiracemoside F, were found to be important to distinguish black cohosh from most Asian species of Actaea. Formononetin was not found from either Asian or American species of Actaea. Conclusions – Phytochemical fingerprinting is a practical, reliable method for authenticating black cohosh and distinguishing it from other species of Actaea increasingly found as adulterants in commercially available black cohosh products. This should facilitate the continued development of high‐quality, unadulterated black cohosh products. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

中国澜沧江南鳅属鱼类一新种

2001年7月,于澜沧江下游支流勐腊县境内的南腊河中采获一尾南鳅属(Schistura)鱼类标本,经鉴定为一新种。命名为版纳南鳅(S.bannaensissp.nov.)。其主要鉴别特征:侧线完全;尾鳍叉形,两叶稍尖,下叶稍长于上叶;胸腹鳍均较短小,胸鳍长约为胸鳍和腹鳍基部起点之间距离的一半;腹鳍末端后伸不达肛门,其长约为腹鳍基部至臀鳍基部起点之间距离的一半;颊部无斑;体侧有4个醒目的棕褐色宽横斑,由背部延伸至腹面;横斑显著,在侧线以下较窄,其宽度等于或小于斑纹间距;在侧线以上较宽,其宽度远大于斑纹间距;沿体侧无黑色纵纹。       

High performance liquid chromatography detection of phototrophic bacterial pigments in aquatic environments

Pigment extracts of phototrophic bacteria isolated from Lake Kinneret (Rhodopseudomonas palustris, Thiocapsa roseopersicina, Prosthecochloris aestuaris andChlorobium phaeobacteroides) were studied by means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). An absorption wavelength of 360 nm provided the best resolution among the pigments of the species tested and between them and chlorophylla. Signature pigments were identified for each of these species, and their presence was thereby monitored in lake water samples.C. phaeobacteroides, which was observed in the anaerobic hypolimnion and predominated in the metalimnion, was recognized by a characteristic cluster of major chlorophyllous pigment peaks. The spectral qualities of these pigments were close but not identical to published data on bacteriochlorophylle, presumably due to the use of different solvents for extraction. The intensity of these pigment peaks was employed to determine the depth of the greatest phototrophic bacterial biomass, which was not related to that of algae.     

The visual pigments of four deep-sea crustacean species

Summary The visual pigments of four mesopelagic crustacean species were studied at sea by means of microspectrophotometry. The absorbance maxima obtained for the visual pigments and their metarhodopsins, respectively, were: 493 nm and 481 nm (Systellaspis debilis), 485 nm and 480 nm (Acanthephyra curtirostris), 491 nm and 482 nm (A. smithi), and 495 nm and 487 nm (Sergestes tenuiremis). The spectral characteristics of the rhodopsins and metarhodopsins permit high photosensitivity and facilitate photoregeneration in a nearly monochromatic environment. Photic regeneration of rhodopsins from the deep-sea environment was demonstrated, and data were obtained which are consistent with the occurrence of dark regeneration. Specific optical density of the observed visual pigments was calculated for two species.     

Photosynthetic pigments of plants and lichens inhabiting arctic tundra of West Spitsbergen

The content of photosynthetic pigments and the ratios between them were studied in 71 species of vascular plants, 17 species of Bryophyta, and 10 species of lichens inhabiting West Spitsbergen. With an increase in the level of organization from lichens to vascular plants, the content of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls (Chl) and carotenoids (Car)) increased; the Chl a/b ratios and light-harvesting complex values varied independently of organism taxonomy; the Chl/Car ratio tended to increase. The content of pigments is related to taxon advancement at the level of both divisions and higher plant families. In plants inhabiting Arctic region, the pigment content in primitive species was lower than in more advanced ones. In angiosperms inhabiting Spitsbergen, the amount of Chl was lower than in plants inhabiting other botanicgeographical regions.