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Canthaxanthin pigment does not maintain color in carmine bee‐eaters
Author(s) -
Dierenfeld Ellen S.,
Sheppard Christine D.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
zoo biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.5
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1098-2361
pISSN - 0733-3188
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2361(1996)15:2<183::aid-zoo8>3.0.co;2-7
Subject(s) - canthaxanthin , biology , feather , pigment , zeaxanthin , lutein , carotenoid , captivity , zoology , botany , astaxanthin , chemistry , organic chemistry
Carmine bee‐eaters ( Merops nubicus ) in captivity lost feather color when fed diets supplemented with canthaxanthin (23 mg/kg dry matter), a pigment and concentration known to maintain adequate color in numerous other bird species. Supplementation of whole insects with natural mixed carotenoids including α‐ and β‐carotene, zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, and lutein resulted in a quantifiable change in feather color in this species. Positive identification of feather pigments and elucidation of metabolic pathways of color production in bee‐eaters remain to be completed; initial data suggest α‐carotene or derivatives as primary pigments or precursors in this species. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.