Mmastodon ScienceScience first seen 1 d ago, last 8 h ago, peak #2

Galapagos wildlife color explained through carotenoids

Original: 🦎 NEW: # Carotenoids are # pigments made by # plants , # algae , and # phytoplankton that # animals cannot produce thems

Galapagos land iguanas, blue-footed boobies and flamingos owe their red, orange and yellow coloring to carotenoids, pigments produced by plants, algae and phytoplankton. Animals cannot make these compounds themselves and instead acquire them through their diet, which is how the islands' most recognizable species get their vivid hues.

Why now: People are sharing a science explainer on how diet gives Galapagos animals their striking colors.

Galapagosland iguanasblue-footed boobiesflamingoscarotenoids

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Evidence

• 🦎 NEW: # Carotenoids are # pigments made by # plants , # algae , and # phytoplankton that # animals cannot produce themselves. # Galapagos # wildlife , including land # iguanas , blue-footed # boobies , and # flamingos , acquire these red, orange, and yellow compounds through #… · tksst@fediscience.org · 4

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