Animal colors play important roles in communication, ecological interactions and speciation. Carotenoid
pigments are responsible for many yellow, orange and red hues in animals. Whereas extensive knowledge on
the proximate mechanisms underlying carotenoid coloration in birds has led to testable hypotheses on avian
color evolution and signaling, much less is known about the expression of carotenoid coloration in fishes.
Here, we promote cichlid fishes (Perciformes: Cichlidae) as a system in which to study the physiological and
evolutionary significance of carotenoids. Cichlids include some of the best examples of adaptive radiation and
color pattern diversification in vertebrates. In this paper,we examine fitness correlates of carotenoid pigmentation
in cichlids and review hypotheses regarding the signal content of carotenoid-based ornaments. Carotenoid-based
coloration is influenced by diet and body condition and is positively related to mating success and social dominance.
Gaps in our knowledge are discussed in the last part of this review, particularly in the understanding of
carotenoid metabolism pathways and the genetics of carotenoid coloration.We suggest that carotenoid metabolism
and transport are important proximate mechanisms responsible for individual and population-differences
in cichlid coloration that may ultimately contribute to diversification and speciation.
Animal colors play important roles in communication, ecological interactions and speciation. Carotenoid
pigments are responsible for many yellow, orange and red hues in animals. Whereas extensive knowledge on
the proximate mechanisms underlying carotenoid coloration in birds has led to testable hypotheses on avian
color evolution and signaling, much less is known about the expression of carotenoid coloration in fishes.
Here, we promote cichlid fishes (Perciformes: Cichlidae) as a system in which to study the physiological and
evolutionary significance of carotenoids. Cichlids include some of the best examples of adaptive radiation and
color pattern diversification in vertebrates. In this paper,we examine fitness correlates of carotenoid pigmentation
in cichlids and review hypotheses regarding the signal content of carotenoid-based ornaments. Carotenoid-based
coloration is influenced by diet and body condition and is positively related to mating success and social dominance.
Gaps in our knowledge are discussed in the last part of this review, particularly in the understanding of
carotenoid metabolism pathways and the genetics of carotenoid coloration.We suggest that carotenoid metabolism
and transport are important proximate mechanisms responsible for individual and population-differences
in cichlid coloration that may ultimately contribute to diversification and speciation.
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