The interaction between astaxanthin and crustacyanin is behind the myriad of colors that adorn various lobsters and prawns, said Wade. "We're talking about going from the red end of the spectrum to the blue end of the spectrum," he said. "That's the entire length of the visible spectrum. This protein is able to do something that no other protein can do." Wade and colleagues wanted to know how widespread this color system is in the animal kingdom. They looked for the gene responsible for crustacyanin in a whole slew of different animals but could only find it in crustaceans. Wade said this simple "one molecule, many colors" system could have been key to the success of crustaceans, which occupy a bewildering diversity of habitats. "What we're doing is starting to identify the genetic basis of biodiversity," he said. Apart from genetics, other factors that influence the color of crustaceans are their dietary intake of carotenoids and the background color of their environment, said Wade. Wade added that in the future the crustacean system could be used to develop new food dyes. It could also be used to develop new indicators of acidity and temperature since both these factors can affect the protein-pigment complex, and thus affect color. "You could engineer the protein to do more than it used to do," he said. Related Links: Get More NewsSpiders, Scorpions Among World's Oldest CreaturesMany creepy crawlies have been on Earth much longer than previously believed.Blood-Sucking Vampire Bats Sing DuetsWhite-winged vampire bats "harmonize" with separated roost mates.Oldest Hebrew Writing Possibly FoundAncient inscriptions on a 3,000-year-old pottery shard could make history.Rare, Prehistoric-Age Reptile Found in N.Z.A tuatara has been spotted on the New Zealand mainland for the first time in 200 years.Iceman Has No Living RelativesOetzi, the 5,300 year-old frozen mummy, left no living genetic legacy.SLIDE SHOW: Landscapes of TerrorWhat makes a place feel scary? There are scientific explanations.It's Official: People Are Warming the PolesHumans are conclusively to blame for polar warming, say scientists.Eight-Armed Animal Preceded DinosaursWhat may be one of Earth's first animals was no bigger than a coaster and had eight arms.Phoenicians Live on in People's GenesOne in 17 Mediterranean men may be descended from ancient Phoenicians.Pesticides, Fertilizers Linked to Frog DeclineA pesticide is found to promote parasites among amphibians.Hubble Telescope Taking Photos AgainThe Hubble Space Telescope is once again snapping stunning photos of the universe.Andean Mummy Hairs Show Hallucinogen UseScientists find direct evidence of hallucinogenic drug use among ancient Andeans.Opals on Mars Reveal Planet's Long Wet PastOpals found on Mars suggest the planet has been wet for much longer. |
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