DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Testing the role of red carotenoid coloration in copepod mate choice

论文研究：测试红色类胡萝卜素着色在桡足类配偶选择中的作用

• 批准号: 1701827
• 负责人: Geoffrey Hill
• 金额: $ 1.89万
• 依托单位: Auburn University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2017-06-01 至 2020-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1701827&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; Testing; role; red

Red colors are among the most widespread forms of animal signals. On one hand, the red coloration may be assessed by potential partners during mate-choice, where individuals with the brightest red color are more likely to be chosen as a mate. Evidence supports this idea in animals such as birds and fish. On the other hand, some research has found that red color may have a physiological function, for example, acting as a sunscreen that offers protection from potentially damaging solar radiation. This project uses copepods, tiny shrimp-like animals with bright red colors, to test whether to examine if red copepod color is (1) a signal of mate quality, (2) a sunscreen, or (3) both a signal of quality and a sunscreen. The results of this research will advance the basic understanding of animal coloration in group of animals that has not been well studied. In addition, the researchers will use this study system to bring science training to Alabama children in fourth through sixth grade. Working through a well-structured program--Getting Under The Surface (GUTS)--teams of parents and children from some of the most science-deficient school systems in the U.S. will be invited to half-day programs run by faculty. Two programs will be run involving the same student/parent teams. The bright red copepod system is ideal for capturing the attention of younger students while offering opportunities for training with microscopes and basic experimental design. Red carotenoid coloration is a widespread form of ornamentation in animals and extensive empirical data show that red coloration is an honest signal of individual quality and performance. However, the most popular vertebrate systems that clearly demonstrate selection for red carotenoid coloration via mate choice are not suitable for the physiological experiments needed to advance the field. The project focuses on physiological constraints on the production of red carotenoids in animals, using Tigriopus copepods as a model. The researchers use diet manipulations to vary carotenoid coloration and to test whether red colors in copepods are used as a visual signal in male and female mate choice, or whether red coloration acts as a protectant against UV radiation. This behavioral research will create a critical context for interpreting physiological research on carotenoid color production and enable better of understanding red coloration in copepods in particular and animals in general.

红色是最广泛的动物信号形式之一。一方面，红色的颜色可以由伴侣选择期间的潜在伙伴评估，其中最亮红色的个体更有可能被选为伴侣。证据支持鸟类和鱼类等动物的想法。另一方面，一些研究发现，红色可能具有生理功能，例如，充当防晒霜，可保护免受潜在破坏太阳辐射的保护。该项目使用Copepods，具有鲜红色的小虾样动物，以测试是否检查红色CopePod颜色是否是（1）伴侣质量的信号，（2）防晒霜，或（3）质量和防晒霜的信号。这项研究的结果将提高对动物群体的基本了解，而动物群体尚未得到很好的研究。此外，研究人员将使用此研究系统将科学培训带到四年级至六年级的阿拉巴马州儿童。通过一个结构良好的计划（肠道）的结构良好的计划（肠道） - 来自美国一些最缺乏科学的学校系统的父母和孩子团队将被邀请参加由教职员工开展的半天计划。将有两个程序涉及相同的学生/家长团队。鲜红色的CopePod系统非常适合吸引年轻学生的注意力，同时为显微镜和基本实验设计提供培训的机会。红色类胡萝卜素的着色是动物中装饰的一种普遍形式，广泛的经验数据表明，红色是个人质量和性能的诚实信号。但是，最流行的脊椎动物系统清楚地证明了通过伴侣选择选择红色类胡萝卜素的色彩，不适用于推进领域所需的生理实验。该项目的重点是使用Tigriopus copepods作为模型的动物中红色类胡萝卜素的生产的生理限制。研究人员使用饮食操纵来改变类胡萝卜素的颜色，并测试copepods中的红色是否被用作男性和女性伴侣选择的视觉信号，或者红色的色彩是否可作为防紫外线辐射的保护剂。这项行为研究将为解释类胡萝卜素颜色产生的生理研究创造一个关键背景，并可以更好地理解Copepods的红色，尤其是动物。

项目成果

An in vivo test of the biologically relevant roles of carotenoids as antioxidants in animals

类胡萝卜素作为动物抗氧化剂的生物学相关作用的体内测试

• DOI: 10.1242/jeb.183665
• 发表时间: 2018
• 期刊: The Journal of Experimental Biology
• 作者: Weaver, Ryan J.;Wang, Philip;Hill, Geoffrey E.;Cobine, Paul A.
• 通讯作者: Cobine, Paul A.

An experimental test of mate choice for red carotenoid coloration in the marine copepod Tigriopus californicus

• DOI: 10.1111/eth.12976
• 发表时间: 2020-03
• 期刊: Ethology
• 影响因子: 1.7
• 作者: M. Powers;G. Hill;R. Weaver