Carotenoids have received much attention from biologists because of their ecological and evolutionary implications in vertebrate biology. We sampled Galapagos land iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus) to investigate the types and levels of blood carotenoids and the possible factors affecting inter-population variation. Blood samples were collected from populations from three islands within the species natural range (Santa Cruz, Isabela, and Fernandina) and one translocated population (Venecia). Lutein and zeaxanthin were the predominant carotenoids found in the serum. In addition, two metabolically modified carotenoids (anhydrolutein and 3'-dehydrolutein) were also identified. Differences in the carotenoid types were not related to sex or locality. Instead, carotenoid concentration varied across the localities, it was higher in females, and it was positively correlated to an index of body condition. Our results suggest a possible sex-related physiological role of xanthophylls in land iguanas. The variation in the overall carotenoid concentration between populations seems to be related to the differences in local abundance and type of food within and between islands. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Costantini, D., Dell'Omo, G., Casagrande, S., Fabiani, A., Carosi, M., Bertacche, V., et al. (2005). Inter-population variation of carotenoids in Galapagos land iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus). COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART B, BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, 142(2), 239-244 [10.1016/j.cbpb.2005.07.011].

Inter-population variation of carotenoids in Galapagos land iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus)

FABIANI, ANNA;GENTILE, GABRIELE
2005-01-01

Abstract

Carotenoids have received much attention from biologists because of their ecological and evolutionary implications in vertebrate biology. We sampled Galapagos land iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus) to investigate the types and levels of blood carotenoids and the possible factors affecting inter-population variation. Blood samples were collected from populations from three islands within the species natural range (Santa Cruz, Isabela, and Fernandina) and one translocated population (Venecia). Lutein and zeaxanthin were the predominant carotenoids found in the serum. In addition, two metabolically modified carotenoids (anhydrolutein and 3'-dehydrolutein) were also identified. Differences in the carotenoid types were not related to sex or locality. Instead, carotenoid concentration varied across the localities, it was higher in females, and it was positively correlated to an index of body condition. Our results suggest a possible sex-related physiological role of xanthophylls in land iguanas. The variation in the overall carotenoid concentration between populations seems to be related to the differences in local abundance and type of food within and between islands. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
2005
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Sì, ma tipo non specificato
Settore BIO/05 - ZOOLOGIA
English
Con Impact Factor ISI
Carotenoids; Conolophus subcristatus; Diet; Galapagos land iguana; Lizards; Lutein; Reptiles; Zeaxanthin
Costantini, D., Dell'Omo, G., Casagrande, S., Fabiani, A., Carosi, M., Bertacche, V., et al. (2005). Inter-population variation of carotenoids in Galapagos land iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus). COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY. PART B, BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, 142(2), 239-244 [10.1016/j.cbpb.2005.07.011].
Costantini, D; Dell'Omo, G; Casagrande, S; Fabiani, A; Carosi, M; Bertacche, V; Marquez, C; Snell, H; Tapia, W; Gentile, G
Articolo su rivista
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/38285
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 5
  • Scopus 23
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 22
social impact