N. Zorrozua, C. Alonso-Alvarez, B. Diaz, C. Sanpera, L. Jover, J. Arizaga
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Summary. The carotenoid-based colouration that many birds present may honestly reflect the quality of the bearer, as carotenoids have to be obtained through diet. These pigments are important for many physiological functions and individuals could find a trade-off between the allocation of carotenoids for these uses and their accumulation for secondary-sexual and social traits. The Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis is an opportunistic species that feeds on a wide spectrum of prey. We studied whether carotenoid-based colouration (bill, red spot, eye-ring) is related to the trophic ecology inferred by the isotopic composition of adults' feathers at three colonies of this species. The isotopic marker δ13C negatively correlated with carotenoid-based colouration (red spot area). Contrarily to a priori prediction, the marker indicated that higher consumption of landfill scraps and terrestrial prey might lead to a larger red bill spot in adult Yellow-legged Gulls independently of sex. No correlation was detected between isotopic signatures and egg volume in females. The finding that higher consumption of marine prey may imply a smaller red spot supports some results from other avian studies that report that feeding on human-related terrestrial food sources has an apparently positive effect on the adult phenotype. The results may suggest that higher consumption of marine prey may not be as advantageous as supported by previous studies. Nonetheless, the effects of potentially toxic compounds that may come from some feeding sources should be further studied, including any delayed sub-lethal effects on the physiology of adults and, probably, chicks. —Zorrozua, N., Alonso-Álvarez, C., Diaz, B., Sanpera, C., Jover, Ll. & Arizaga, J. (2020). Carbon δ13C isotopic marker values correlate with carotenoid-based bill colouration in adult Yellow-legged Gulls Larus michahellis. Ardeola, 67: 325-339.
期刊介绍:
Accounts of Chemical Research presents short, concise and critical articles offering easy-to-read overviews of basic research and applications in all areas of chemistry and biochemistry. These short reviews focus on research from the author’s own laboratory and are designed to teach the reader about a research project. In addition, Accounts of Chemical Research publishes commentaries that give an informed opinion on a current research problem. Special Issues online are devoted to a single topic of unusual activity and significance.
Accounts of Chemical Research replaces the traditional article abstract with an article "Conspectus." These entries synopsize the research affording the reader a closer look at the content and significance of an article. Through this provision of a more detailed description of the article contents, the Conspectus enhances the article's discoverability by search engines and the exposure for the research.