Intense bone fluorescence reveals hidden patterns in pumpkin toadlets
Intense bone fluorescence reveals hidden patterns in pumpkin toadlets
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DOI：
10.1038/s41598-019-41959-8
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发表时间：
2019-03-29
影响因子：
4.6
通讯作者：
Thoury, Mathieu
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Goutte, Sandra;Mason, Matthew J.;Thoury, Mathieu
荧光现象可以被动物用来改变有效的颜色或图案，潜在地服务于包括种内和种间信号传导在内的功能。最初认为荧光色仅限于海洋动物，现在越来越多的陆地物种也被描述为荧光色。在这里，我们描述了独特的，高荧光图案在两个物种的南瓜蟾蜍（短头蟾蜍ephippium和B。pitanga）。我们确定荧光的起源在于头部和背部的真皮骨，通过特别薄的皮肤可见。通过比较它们的密切相关的物种小伊斯科线虫，我们证明，南瓜蟾蜍的骨头是异常荧光。我们描述了蟾蜍的骨骼的发光特性，并讨论了在自然光照条件下的荧光图案的潜在功能。
The phenomenon of fluorescence can be used by animals to change effective colouration or patterning, potentially to serve functions including intra- and interspecific signalling. Initially believed to be restricted to marine animals, fluorescent colours are now being described in an increasing number of terrestrial species. Here, we describe unique, highly fluorescent patterns in two species of pumpkin toadlets (Brachycephalus ephippium and B. pitanga). We establish that the origin of the fluorescence lies in the dermal bone of the head and back, visible through a particularly thin skin. By comparing them to those of the closely related species Ischnocnema parva, we demonstrate that pumpkin toadlets' bones are exceptionally fluorescent. We characterize the luminescence properties of the toadlets' bones and discuss the potential function of fluorescent patterns in natural lighting conditions.