Intra-specific pelage color variation in a south american small rodent species/Variacao intraespecifica da cor da pelagem de uma especie de pequeno roedor sul-americano

Intra-specific color variation is often underestimated by researchers, and among mammals, intra-specific differences in coloration are poorly documented for most species. The main goal of this study was to apply an objective color measurement methodology to the study of a specific problem: the detec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brazilian journal of biology 2017-01, Vol.77 (1), p.1
Main Authors: Salinas, M.L. Sandoval, Barqnez, R.M, Colombo, E.M, Sandoval, J.D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Animal models
Coating
Collection
Collectors
Color
Color measurement
Coloration
Colorimeters
Colorimetry
Complexity
Cytochrome b
Devices
Diagnostic systems
Discrimination
Evolution
Females
Genera
Hypotheses
Illumination
Integument
Males
Mammals
Measuring instruments
Museums
Pelage
Pheomelanin
Photometry
Phylogeny
Populations
Predators
Prey
Principal components analysis
Researchers
Rodents
Seasons
Sex
Sex differences
Skin
Statistical analysis
Studies
Summer
Taxonomy
Variance analysis
Visual discrimination
Visual perception
Winter
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Summary:Intra-specific color variation is often underestimated by researchers, and among mammals, intra-specific differences in coloration are poorly documented for most species. The main goal of this study was to apply an objective color measurement methodology to the study of a specific problem: the detection, if any, of patterns of changes in the fur color of specimens of Akodon budini in relation to biological (i.e., sex) and environmental (i.e., season) variables. We hypothesize that coat color will be more homogeneous in males than in females and that coat color will be darker in winter than in summer, the latter being orange. We measured the pelage color on five points over the dorsal surface of 26 A. budini museum specimens using a spectroradiometer and a diffuse illumination cabin. We used Principal Component Analysis to describe the association between the color variables, sex and season, and each of the observations. We then used general linear models of Analysis of Variance to examine relationships between color data, season, and sex. The results clearly confirm the hypothesis related to seasonal coat color change but do not directly confirm the hypothesis related to changes in coat color in relation to sex, and we show the complexity of the studied pattern. In conclusion, undoubtedly, the studied variables should accordingly be considered when studying the coloration of specimens for characterization, identification and discrimination of different taxonomic units based on color.
ISSN:1519-6984
1678-4375
DOI:10.1590/1519-6984.00615