Event

Hosted by Dr. Erol Ackay

Home institution: Biology Department, Lincoln University

Animals display a variety of colors that differ within and between species and eumelanic (black) body coloration is the most widespread color among vertebrates. The expression of black coloration and, more specifically melanic pigmentation (black, brown, and yellow coloration), has been associated with genetic loci that influence a variety of phenotypic traits. In many cases of melanin-based polymorphisms, dark morphs are thought to consistently occur at lower frequencies than lighter morphs. I will review melanic morph frequencies across populations as well as discuss an empirical study where we looked at differences in behavior and physiology between rare eumelanic male and common silver male Eastern Mosquitofish. In our review we found that eumelanic morphs tend to be rarer although there are several reporting biases to consider. In the Eastern Mosquitofish, we found that eumelanic males exhibit different mating, antipredator and endocrine responses compared to silver males. Differences in behavior, endocrine responses and social environment in these fish may impact the maintenance of the rare eumelanic morph and may serve as a model for the maintenance of rare eumelanic morphs in other populations. Animals display a variety of colors that differ within and between species and eumelanic (black) body coloration is the most widespread color among vertebrates. The expression of black coloration and, more specifically melanic pigmentation (black, brown, and yellow coloration), has been associated with genetic loci that influence a variety of phenotypic traits. In many cases of melanin-based polymorphisms, dark morphs are thought to consistently occur at lower frequencies than lighter morphs. I will review melanic morph frequencies across populations as well as discuss an empirical study where we looked at differences in behavior and physiology between rare eumelanic male and common silver male Eastern Mosquitofish. In our review we found that eumelanic morphs tend to be rarer although there are several reporting biases to consider. In the Eastern Mosquitofish, we found that eumelanic males exhibit different mating, antipredator and endocrine responses compared to silver males. Differences in behavior, endocrine responses and social environment in these fish may impact the maintenance of the rare eumelanic morph and may serve as a model for the maintenance of rare eumelanic morphs in other populations.

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