title: Ultraviolet visual sensitivity in three avian lineages: paleognaths, parrots, and passerines.
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.
authors.affiliation: Biopsychology and Behavioral Neuroscience Program, The Graduate Center of City University of New York, 365 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10016-4309, USA. zaidala@gc.cuny.edu
authors.forename: Zachary
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Aidala
authors.forename: Leon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huynen
authors.forename: Patricia L R
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Musser
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fidler
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: Gabriel E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Machovsky Capuska
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Talaba
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hauber
mesh_terms: D000819:Animal Communication; D000818:Animals; D030161:Avian Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D055253:Color Vision / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003463:Cues; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D053476:Extinction, Biological; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000528:radiation effects; D046108:Palaeognathae / Q000235:genetics; D010311:Parrots / Q000235:genetics; D046109:Passeriformes / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D017299:Rod Opsins / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D020539:Sequence Analysis, Protein; D013045:Species Specificity; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D030161:Avian Proteins; D017299:Rod Opsins; C095853:short-wavelength opsin