Phenotypic, genetic, and environmental causes of variation in yellow skin pigmentation and serum carotenoids in Eurasian kestrel nestlings

Casagrande, Stefania; Costantini, David; Tagliavini, James; Dell'Omo, Giacomo

doi:10.1007/S11284-008-0503-3

Title

Phenotypic, genetic, and environmental causes of variation in yellow skin pigmentation and serum carotenoids in Eurasian kestrel nestlings

Author

Casagrande, Stefania

Costantini, David

Tagliavini, James

Dell'Omo, Giacomo

Abstract

In the context of sexual selection and parent-offspring communication, carotenoid-based coloration operates as a dynamic condition-dependent signal, as pigments stored in the skin and in the bill can be reallocated to other tissues in accordance with physiological needs. We studied the proximate factors affecting the carotenoid-dependent coloration of the Eurasian kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). Kestrel nestlings show carotenoid-based coloration at the integument level. Adult males and females share similar characteristics, but to a different extent. By cross-fostering nestlings, we evaluated the importance of the nest of rearing and the nest of origin to determine variation in skin color and blood carotenoids. The nest of rearing accounted for most of the observed variance in skin color, as well as serum carotenoids, while the nest of origin was not causal to the variability of carotenoids in young kestrels. The study indirectly shows that carotenoid-based color expressed by young kestrels is not affected by pre-laying conditions. Furthermore, we found that carotenoid coloration and blood carotenoid concentration were correlated at phenotypic and environmental levels, while the hereditary component of the carotenoid traits was too low to estimate their correlation at the genetic level.

Language

English

Source (journal)

Ecological research. - Madrid

Publication

Madrid : 2009

ISSN

0912-3814 [print]

1440-1703 [online]

DOI

10.1007/S11284-008-0503-3

Volume/pages