Plumage iridescence is associated with distinct feather microbiota in a tropical passerine.

ABSTRACT: Birds present a stunning diversity of plumage colors that have long fascinated evolutionary ecologists. Although plumage coloration is often linked to sexual selection, it may impact a number of physiological processes, including microbial resistance. At present, the degree to which differences between pigment-based vs. structural plumage coloration may affect the feather microbiota remains unanswered. Using quantitative PCR and DGGE profiling, we investigated feather microbial load, diversity and community structure among two allopatric subspecies of White-shouldered Fairywren, Malurus alboscapulatus that vary in expression of melanin-based vs. structural plumage coloration. We found that microbial load tended to be lower and feather microbial diversity was significantly higher in the plu

SUBMITTER: Javurkova VG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6733896 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature