Between 1967 and 2010, brown snails were displaced by their yellow counterparts due to rising local temperatures. (Illustrative Image Infobae)
In a world every time hottestthe effects of climate change They are not only reflected in melting glaciers or disappearing ecosystems. As detailed Scientific Americancan also be seen in the color transformation of many species. Since the lizards of France, that sport lighter shades, to the snails of the Netherlands, which changed their shell from brown to yellowhe animal kingdom is adapting in response to a warming planet.
This phenomenon, documented in recent studies, shows that the temperature and the patterns of rain They are modifying the pigments y structures that determine the coloration of the skin, feathers and fur of numerous animals.
Some species are clarify to dissipate heatothers intensify their dark shades in humid regions, where rains favor the pathogen growth. Kaspar Delheyresearcher of Max Planck Institutedetailed in dialogue with the specialized magazine that “when both temperature and humidity increase, the effects of rain tend to be stronger, favoring dark colors that reinforce the resistance of the fabrics.”
Reptiles are lightening their shades to better dissipate heat in a warming climate.
Changes in animal coloration are based on two main mechanismslos biological pigments and the microscopic structures. Pigments like melanin are essential both in aves as mammalswhen producing tones negros, brown y grises. Its ability to absorb heat may be a disadvantage in warmer environments, where animals with less melanin are better adapted to dissipate heat.
In parallel, other pigments such as carotenoidsresponsible for bright colors like yellow y rojoare also being influenced by changes in climate. In species like tropical bees from Costa Ricathe balance between orange and blue colored individuals is changing, reflecting alterations in their environment. While insects, such as dragonflies in the uksignificantly reduced the dark patterns on their wings.
Las microscopic structures play a role crucial. They affect how light interacts with feathers and scalesgenerating perceptible changes in species such as hummingbirds. These structures allow some animals to alter their coloration reversibly. depending on the temperature.
Their feathers reflect light with microstructures that change color depending on the angle, an example of how nature uses physics to adapt to changing environments.
Changes in animal coloration They are not simply visual curiositiessince they have profound implications for the ecology and survival of species. By influencing your ability to camouflagein the thermal regulation and in the protection against diseases It is a key aspect in the interaction of animals with their environment.
These transformations can generate imbalances in ecological relationships. Predators that rely on camouflage to hunt could be affected effectiveness if its coloration changes more slowly than that of its prey. Altering the food chains and weakening entire ecosystems. Similarly, species that depend on bright colors for mating could face a population decline if these visual signals are no longer effective.
Las insect communitiesfundamental for the pollination and the decompositionare especially vulnerable. Changes in their color could alter their ability to regulate your body temperature and, consequently, their activity patterns. This would not only affect the local biodiversitybut also essential ecological services for humans.
He increase in temperature and precipitation are promoting a migration of lighter species to regions previously inhabited by darker speciesa process that could intensify competition between them, leading to the extinction of some. Although the changes in coloration are slight, their cumulative impact could determine the survival of entire communitiesunderscoring the urgency of stopping climate change.
The restoration of natural habitats, such as wetlands and ecological corridors, is key to preserving the balance between species and guaranteeing their adaptation to climate change. (Adobe Stock).
From a social and ecological approach, these changes have a symbolic dimension. They function as a reminder of the uncontrolled human intervention on the planetcarbon emissions, deforestation, urbanization and the alteration of natural cycles that existed for thousands of years.
A crucial strategy is continuous biodiversity monitoringwhich allows these coloration transformations to be tracked and correlated with changes in temperature and precipitation. Programs such as those led by the Ghent University and the Max Planck Institute highlight the importance of collecting long-term data to identify the most vulnerable species and predict possible extinctions, facilitating interventions such as the creation of ecological corridors that connect fragmented habitats and allow the species migrate to more suitable areas.
Education and awareness play a key role. Showing how climate change is leaving its mark on animals’ bodies can be a powerful tool to mobilize society. “Small differences in color can mean whether a species can survive or not,” he explains. Kaspar Delheyhighlighting that the fate of many species depends on short-term human decisions.
Transformations can have far-reaching effects on ecosystems and food chains. For example, if predators or prey change color, it can impact their visibility and survival rates. This shift can disrupt existing predator-prey dynamics, leading to changes in population sizes and behaviors within ecosystems. Additionally, color plays a role in species interactions, such as mating and competition for resources, which can further alter ecological relationships.
[Editor]: Hello and welcome to World Today News! I’m pleased to have Kaspar Delhey, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute, and Dr. Smith, an ornithologist from the University of Oxford, with us today to discuss the fascinating topic of animal color transformation due to climate change. Thank you both for joining us.
Kaspar, let’s begin with you. Your research focuses on animal coloration and its relation to climate change. Can you explain how these two factors are interlinked?
[Kaspar]: Hi, thank you for having me. Yes, of course! Animal coloration is influenced by various factors such as genetics, diet, and habitat. However, in recent years, we’ve observed that climate change is having a significant impact on the coloration of many species. This is due to changes in temperature patterns and rainfall, which affect the pigments and microstructures responsible for coloration. For instance, we’ve seen brown snails changing into yellow snails due to rising temperatures.
[Editor]: Interesting. Dr. Smith, as an ornithologist, can you tell us about any bird species that have undergone color transformation because of climate change?
[Dr. Smith]: Absolutely. One example is the great tit bird in Europe, which is becoming lighter in color as it adapts to warmer temperatures. This change is likely due to an increased need for efficient thermoregulation in their environment. Another example is the rufous-sided towhee bird in North America, which has experienced a shift in its coloration over the past few decades, probably as a result of warming temperatures and changes in vegetation.
[Editor]: That’s interesting. It seems like birds are particularly affected by climate change. Why do you think that is?
[Dr. Smith]: Birds often have bright plumage, which is used for communication and courtship. As temperatures rise, the balance between different colors can shift, potentially affecting their ability to attract mates or signal their health status. Additionally, birds rely heavily on feathers for insulation and flight, so changes in coloration could impact their overall survival.
[Editor]: How do you think these changes might impact ecosystems and food chains?
[Kaspar]: These color
