Woodpeckers typically have colorful, multipatterned plumages. To understand the biochemical basis of the species-specificity of coloration in woodpecker, the complement of carotenoids in the red and yellow feathers of 13 species of true woodpeckers (Picinae) was determined. The pigments were extracted under mild conditions. The extracts were analyzed by HPLC coupled with mass and UV-vis spectroscopy. The 4-oxo-carotenoids (particularly astaxanthin and α-doradexanthin) were responsible for the red colors in these species. Picofulvins were the dominant carotenoids in the yellow feathers of some species. Unmodified lutein, zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin were responsible for the yellow and green colors in other species. Tentative molecular structures for the three main picofulvins are proposed based on the results of spectroscopy (UV-vis, MS) and chemical tests. Copyright (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.

Carotenoids in bird plumage: the complement of yellow and red pigments in true woodpekers (Picinae) / R. Stradi, J. Hudon, G. Celentano, E. Pini. - In: COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART B, BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY. - ISSN 1096-4959. - 120:2(1998), pp. 223-230.

Carotenoids in bird plumage: the complement of yellow and red pigments in true woodpekers (Picinae)

R. Stradi;G. Celentano;E. Pini
1998

Abstract

Woodpeckers typically have colorful, multipatterned plumages. To understand the biochemical basis of the species-specificity of coloration in woodpecker, the complement of carotenoids in the red and yellow feathers of 13 species of true woodpeckers (Picinae) was determined. The pigments were extracted under mild conditions. The extracts were analyzed by HPLC coupled with mass and UV-vis spectroscopy. The 4-oxo-carotenoids (particularly astaxanthin and α-doradexanthin) were responsible for the red colors in these species. Picofulvins were the dominant carotenoids in the yellow feathers of some species. Unmodified lutein, zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin were responsible for the yellow and green colors in other species. Tentative molecular structures for the three main picofulvins are proposed based on the results of spectroscopy (UV-vis, MS) and chemical tests. Copyright (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.
Bird’s plumage; Campephilus leucopogon; Carotenoid metabolism; Carotenoid pattern; Carotenoid stereochemistry; Colaptes auratus; Colaptes campestris; Colaptes melanolaimus; Color; Dryocopus pileatus; LC/MS analysis; LC/UV-vis analysis; Melanerpes candidus; Picinae; Picofulvins; Picoides major; Picoides tridactylus; Picoides villosus; Picus squamatus; Picus viridis; Sphyrapicus varius
Settore CHIM/06 - Chimica Organica
1998
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/20215
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