Eggshell coloration is an indicator of dietary calcium in Common Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus)

Abstract

According to the structural-function hypothesis, the eggshell pigment protoporphyrin, deposited at weak spots, can strengthen the shell structure when calcium is lacking in avian species. However, this hypothesis has not been tested in species that produce pigmented eggs of uniform ground colour without spotting patterns. We tested the structural-function hypothesis using 435 eggs produced on seven calcium diets (0.2–4.5%) given to Common Pheasants Phasianus colchicus, a species that produces a large number of eggs on a low-calcium diet with unspotted eggshells composed of a uniform ground colour of mainly protoporphyrin. We found that pheasants on the lowest calcium diet (0.2%), which had thinner eggshells, produced eggs containing more protoporphyrin-based coloration than four of six other diets, suggesting this species employs pigmentation as ground colour to strengthen eggshells when available calcium is low. Our results provide the first, at least partial support for a structural function for eggshell pigments producing ground colour without spotting in a species that is often calcium-limited. This pattern may be more widespread in other ground-nesting taxa that also produce large numbers of eggs with protoporphyrin-based ground colour and are potentially limited by calcium during breeding.