Egg carotenoids in passerine birds introduced to New Zealand: relations to ecological factors, integument coloration and phylogeny

Cassey P., Ewen J., Boulton R., Blackburn T., Moller A., Biard C., ...More

FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, vol.19, no.4, pp.719-726, 2005 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 19 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2005
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2005.00989.x
  • Journal Name: FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.719-726
  • Keywords: egg yolk, integument pigments, introduced birds, PLUMAGE COLORATION, INTERSPECIFIC VARIATION, SEXUAL DICHROMATISM, DIETARY CAROTENOIDS, BARN SWALLOWS, PLASMA, PARASITES, SIGNALS, AVAILABILITY, ANTIOXIDANTS
  • Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

1. Carotenoids are a diverse group of organic compounds that function as important antioxidants and immunostimulants and are of particular importance to developing embryos and young birds. In addition, they constitute the majority of yellow to red hues in the integumentary pigments of birds.