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The evolution of plumage colouration in parrots : a review

Berg, Mathew L. and Bennett, Andrew T.D 2010, The evolution of plumage colouration in parrots : a review, Emu : austral ornithology, vol. 110, no. 1, pp. 10-20.

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Title The evolution of plumage colouration in parrots : a review
Author(s) Berg, Mathew L.
Bennett, Andrew T.D
Journal name Emu : austral ornithology
Volume number 110
Issue number 1
Start page 10
End page 20
Publisher CSIRO Publishing
Place of publication Collingwood, Vic.
Publication date 2010-02
ISSN 0158-4197
1448-5540
Keyword(s) evolution
Psittaciformes
parrots
plumage
Psittacofulvins
Summary The plumages of parrots provide some of the most striking colouration in nature.We summarise the diversity of mechanisms producing colour in parrots and the current evidence for the adaptive significance of variation in the colour of parrot plumages. Only recently have detailed studies begun to unravel the mechanisms of their colour-production and colour vision systems. Parrots produce much of their plumage colouration through a unique suite of pigments (psittacofulvins), or through a feather tissue nanostructure that results in coherent scattering of light, or a combination of the two (producing green). Psittacofulvins are found nowhere else in nature, and may even generate fluorescence in many parrot species.Compared with other avian taxa, the adaptive significance of parrot plumage colouration remains poorly understood, although some studies suggest that plumage colouration may form important sexual signals and may be used in mate-choice by several species. There is evidence to suggest that parrot colouration can be subject to both environmental and genetic control. We emphasise that parrots offer a distinctive and useful colouration system for further study. Further research is required to unravel how the dramatic colour patterns of parrots evolved, and what roles colour signals may play in the life histories of parrots.
Language eng
Field of Research 060399 Evolutionary Biology not elsewhere classified
Socio Economic Objective 960805 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity at Regional or Larger Scales
HERDC Research category C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal
HERDC collection year 2010
Copyright notice ©2010, Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union
Persistent URL http://hdl.handle.net/10536/DRO/DU:30029484

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Created: Mon, 02 Aug 2010, 16:26:38 EST by Teresa Treffry