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Related Concept Videos

Mate Choice01:20

Mate Choice

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Mate choice—the decision about whom to mate with—is a type of natural selection, since animals must reproduce to pass down their genes. Mate choice is also called intersexual selection because the behavior occurs between the sexes.
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Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
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Types of Selection01:46

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Natural selection influences the frequencies of particular alleles and phenotypes within populations in several different ways. Primarily, natural selection can be directional, stabilizing, or disruptive. Directional selection favors one extreme trait and shifts the population towards that phenotype while selecting against individuals displaying alternate traits. Stabilizing selection favors an intermediate trait with a narrow range of variation. Deviation from the optimal phenotype towards an...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Probing the Limits of Egg Recognition Using Egg Rejection Experiments Along Phenotypic Gradients
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Light dulls and darkens bird eggs.

Johanna Y Navarro1, David C Lahti1

  • 1Department of Biology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, New York, United States of America.

Plos One
|December 27, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Light exposure can alter bird egg color by decreasing reflectance, particularly at peak wavelengths. This suggests light may accelerate pigment degradation, potentially impacting egg coloration during incubation.

Area of Science:

  • Ornithology
  • Biophysics
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Egg color is typically stable but can be influenced by environmental factors.
  • Previous research indicates some direct environmental impacts on laid eggs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if light exposure affects bird egg color.
  • To quantify the impact of light on eggshell reflectance.

Main Methods:

  • Subjecting Rüppell's weaver eggs (Ploceus galbula) to a broad-spectrum light source under laboratory conditions.
  • Measuring eggshell reflectance across the 250-800 nm spectrum at regular intervals.

Main Results:

  • Eggshells showed a gradual decrease in reflectance across all measured wavelengths.

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  • Reflectance peaks (blue-green and UV) were disproportionately reduced.
  • Lighter eggs exhibited slightly greater reflectance changes than darker eggs.

    • Conclusions:

    • Light exposure can cause measurable changes in bird egg color, similar to pigment degradation in darkness.
    • This effect may be relevant for egg coloration during incubation.
    • Short-term illumination in museums is unlikely to cause significant color alteration.