The phylogenetic distribution of ultraviolet sensitivity in birds

Abstract

Conclusions: By mapping our results together with data from previous studies on a molecular phylogeny we show that avian colour vision shifted between VS and UVS at least 14 times. Single nucleotide substitutions can explain all these shifts. The common ancestor of birds most likely had a VS phenotype. However, the ancestral state of the avian SWS1 opsin's spectral tuning sites cannot be resolved, since the Palaeognathae are F86, C90 while the Neognathae are ancestrally S86, S90. The phylogenetic distribution of UVS and VS colour vision in birds is so complex that inferences of spectral sensitivities from closely related taxa should be used with caution.

Published in

BMC Evolutionary Biology
2013, volume: 13
Publisher: BIOMED CENTRAL LTD

SLU Authors

• Ödeen, Anders

  • Uppsala University

• Håstad, Olle

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Evolutionary Biology
Genetics

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2148-13-36

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/54055