Abstract
Ultraviolet (UV) light-transmitted signals play a major role in avian foraging and communication, subserving functional roles in feeding, mate choice, egg recognition, and nestling discrimination. Sequencing functionally relevant regions of the short wavelength sensitive type 1 (SWS1) opsin gene that is responsible for modulating the extent of SWS1 UV sensitivity in birds allows predictions to be made about the visual system’s UV sensitivity in species where direct physiological or behavioral measures would be impractical or unethical. Here, we present SWS1 segment sequence data from representative species of three avian lineages for which visually based cues for foraging and communication have been investigated to varying extents. We also present a preliminary phylogenetic analysis and ancestral character state reconstructions of key spectral tuning sites along the SWS1 opsin based on our sequence data. The results suggest ubiquitous ultraviolet SWS1 sensitivity (UVS) in both paleognaths, including extinct moa (Emeidae), and parrots, including the nocturnal and flightless kakapo (Strigops habroptilus), and in most, but not all, songbird (oscine) lineages, and confirmed violet sensitivity (VS) in two suboscine families. Passerine hosts of avian brood parasites were included both UVS and VS taxa, but sensitivity did not co-vary with egg rejection behaviors. The results should stimulate future research into the functional parallels between the roles of visual signals and the genetic basis of visual sensitivity in birds and other taxa.
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Acknowledgments
Major funding was provided by the Human Frontier Science Program to MEH and the NSF to ZA. We would like to thank Irby J. Lovette and the Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology for providing our North American songbird samples from their frozen tissue collection (Melospiza melodia CUMV52030; Agelaius phoeniceus CUMV52398; Molothrus ater CUMV50922; Quiscalus quiscula CUMV50813; Dumetella carolinensis CUMV50532; Mimus polyglottos CUMV51469; Setophaga petechia CUMV51062; Passer domesticus CUMV50719; Hylocichla mustelina CUMV51591; Turdus migratorius CUMV44366; Sayornis phoebe CUMV52315; Tyrannus tyrannus CUMV50890). For the parrot DNA/tissue samples our thanks go to Siwo de Kloet (Avian Biotech, Florida, USA; Agapornis roseicollis, Eclectus roratus, Psittacula derbiana, Platycercus elegans, Eolophus roseicapillus), Gail Sutton, Natureland Zoo (Nelson, New Zealand; Psittacula krameri manillensis, Nymphicus hollandicus, Cacatua galerita), the New Zealand Department of Conservation (Nestor meridionalis, Nestor notabilis, Strigops habroptilus), and Christine Mander (New Zealand; Platycercus eximius). We would like to thank Joy Halverston (Zoogen, CA) for providing our extant ratite samples (Casuarius casuarius, Dromaius novaehollandiae, Struthio camelus, and Rhea americana). The Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History (YPM) kindly provided our tinamou (Tinamidae) (Crypturellus undulatus YPM 136994, Nothura boraquira YPM 136976, Nothoprocta ornata YPM 136964, Nothoprocta pentlandii YPM 136997, Rhynchotus rufescens YPM 100922), Manacus manacus YPM 137115 and second Casuarius casuarius (YPM 86855) samples. Finally, extinct moa samples Pachyornis elephantopus (CM SB301), Emeus crassus (CM Av13775), Euryapteryx gravis (OM Av9821), Euryapteryx curtus (AIM B6595ii), and Pachyornis geranoides (W336) were kindly provided by Canterbury Museum, Otago Museum, Auckland Museum, and Whanganui Museum, respectively. We would also like to thank two anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on an earlier version of the manuscript. Samples were collected from live specimens following local animal ethics rules and regulations in New Zealand and the University of Auckland and in the USA and Hunter College of the City University of New York.
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Aidala, Z., Huynen, L., Brennan, P.L.R. et al. Ultraviolet visual sensitivity in three avian lineages: paleognaths, parrots, and passerines. J Comp Physiol A 198, 495–510 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-012-0724-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-012-0724-3