Plumage redness signals mitochondrial function in the House Finch

摘要: Abstract Carotenoid coloration is widely recognized as a signal of individual condition in various animals, but despite decades study, the mechanisms that link carotenoid to remain unresolved. Most birds with red feathers convert yellow dietary carotenoids an oxidation process requiring gene encoding putative cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2J19. Here, we tested hypothesis and feather pigmentation functionally linked mitochondrial performance. Consistent this hypothesis, observed high levels ketolated associated hepatic mitochondria molting wild house finches (Haemorhous mexicanus), upon fractionation, found highest concentration inner membrane. We further redness growing was positively related performance liver mitochondria. Structural modeling CYP2J19 supports direct role protein ketolation may be cellular respiration. These observations suggest serves core functionality through inexorable links respiration