The level of putative carotenoid-binding proteins determines the body color in two species of endemic Lake Baikal amphipods.

ABSTRACT: Color is an essential clue for intra- and interspecies communication, playing a role in selection and speciation. Coloration can be based on nanostructures and pigments; carotenoids and carotenoproteins are among the most widespread pigments in animals. Over 350 species and subspecies of amphipods (Crustacea: Amphipoda) endemic to Lake Baikal exhibit an impressive variability of colors and coloration patterns, including intraspecific color morphs. However, the mechanisms forming this diversity are underexplored, as while the carotenoid composition of several transparent, green, and red species was investigated, there have been no reports on the corresponding carotenoid-binding proteins. In this work, we analyze the coloration of two brightly colored Baikal amphipods characterized by intras

SUBMITTER: Drozdova P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7307558 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature