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- Title
The meaning of melanin, carotenoid, and pterin pigments in the bluein killifish, Lucania goodei.
- Authors
Johnson, Ashley M.; Fuller, Rebecca C.
- Abstract
Male bluein killifish (Lucania goodei) exhibit extensive color variation in their ins, but the utility of this variation has not yet been determined. We collected males from multiple populations and spectrophotometrically determined the pigment types responsible for in coloration. We determined that the orange coloration in the caudal in is caused by carotenoid pigmentation. In contrast, color in the anal in is either pterin based (yellow and red) or structural (blue) with a melanic in border. As these colors have different develop- mental origins, the potential for complex signaling is high. Therefore, we sought to determine whether behavior, reproductive success, or health correlated with pigmentation. Males with more melanin on the anal in were more dominant and had higher spawning success. Male--male aggression was greater between males with similar-sized melanic borders, indicating that melanic markings function as badges of status between males. Caudal carotenoid pigmentation did not correlate with dominance, but this highly labile ornament was correlated with body condition, parasite infection, and spawning success, suggesting a role in intersexual selection by signaling health to potential mates. Similar results were found for caudal in coloration using digital photography. Pterin pigmentation in the anal in was not related to dominance but was related to overall spawning levels and parasite infection, suggesting that pterin pigmentation may also signal immune status. Thus, the coloration of male bluein killifish provides multiple messages to multiple receivers through these 3 pigments (melanin, pterin, and carotenoid) that have distinct developmental origins.
- Subjects
BRIGHTFIN killifishes; MELANINS; ANIMAL pigments; PTERIDINES; DIGITAL photography; FUNDULIDAE
- Publication
Behavioral Ecology, 2015, Vol 26, Issue 1, p158
- ISSN
1045-2249
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/beheco/aru164