Journal article

Publication year: 1981

Pages: 91-98

Journal: Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part B: Comparative biochemistry

Volume number: 69

Issue number: 1

ISSN: 1096-4959

eISSN: 1879-1107

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-0491(81)90214-5

Publisher: Pergamon Press

Abstract: 
Certain interspecific hybrids of Xiphophorus [X. maculatus .times. X. helleri] segregate in Mendelian ratios into red and orange fish. Their coloration is due to carotenoids and pteridines in the skin. The main carotenoid compounds were identified as 2 keto-carotenoids, 2 isomers of zeaxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein and .beta.-carotene and the main pteridine compounds as neodrosopterin, drosopterin, isodrosopterin, sepiapterin, isoxanthopterin, ranachrome-3 and biopterin. The carotenoids form a yellow background upon which the red and orange coloration are caused by neodrosopterin, drosopterin, isodrosopterin and sepiapterin, depending on their quantities. The red coloration is apparently dependent on a gene which intensifies pigment cell differentiation, whereas the orange coloration presumably is determined by the lack of this gene.

Harvard Citation style: Rempeters, G., Henze, M. and Anders, F. (1981) Carotenoids and pteridines in the skin of interspecific hybrids of Xiphophorus, Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part B: Comparative biochemistry, 69(1), pp. 91-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-0491(81)90214-5

APA Citation style: Rempeters, G., Henze, M., & Anders, F. (1981). Carotenoids and pteridines in the skin of interspecific hybrids of Xiphophorus. Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part B: Comparative biochemistry. 69(1), 91-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-0491(81)90214-5