Map of the global distribution of flamingo habitats and haloarchaeal isolation sites.: Flamingo habitats are indicated by a pink color and haloarchaeal sites are shown by blue triangles. The map was created using Adobe Illustrator software (Adobe Systems, Mountain View, CA, USA). The sources of haloarchaeal isolation sites can be found in Supplementary Information. The information of flamingo habitats was obtained from Wikimedia Commons (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AFlamingo_range.png).

Map of the global distribution of flamingo habitats and haloarchaeal isolation sites.: Flamingo habitats are indicated by a pink color and haloarchaeal sites are shown by blue triangles. The map was created using Adobe Illustrator software (Adobe Systems, Mountain View, CA, USA). The sources of haloarchaeal isolation sites can be found in Supplementary Information. The information of flamingo habitats was obtained from Wikimedia Commons (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AFlamingo_range.png).

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Flamingoes (Phoenicopterus spp.) whose plumage displays elegant colors, inhabit warm regions close to the ocean throughout the world. The pink or reddish color of their plumage originates from carotenoids ingested from carotenoid-abundant food sources, since flamingoes are unable to synthesize these compounds de novo. In this study, viable red-colo...

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... One of the possible mechanisms by which halophilic prokaryotes may be dispersed, is within the nostril glands or on the feathers of birds, as documented for shearwaters, flamingoes, and pelicans [68][69][70] . A study of Halobacteria associated with halite crystals collected from coastal salterns of Western Europe, the Mediterranean, and East Africa yielded little support for the existence of biogeographical regions for this group of Archaea, although some taxa showed biogeographical patterns 71 . ...
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Our understanding of the microbial diversity inhabiting hypersaline environments, here defined as containing >100–150 g/L salts, has greatly increased in the past five years. Halophiles are found in each of the three domains of life. Many novel types have been cultivated, and metagenomics and other cultivation-independent approaches have revealed the existence of many previously unrecognized lineages. Syntrophic interactions between different phylogenetic lineages have been discovered, such as the symbiosis between members of the archaeal class Halobacteria and the ‘ Candidatus Nanohalarchaeota’. Metagenomics techniques also have shed light on the biogeography of halophiles, especially of the genera Salinibacter ( Bacteria ) and Haloquadratum and Halorubrum ( Archaea ). Exploration of the microbiome of hypersaline lakes led to the discovery of novel types of metabolism previously unknown to occur at high salt concentrations. Studies of environments with high concentrations of chaotropic ions such as magnesium, calcium, and lithium have refined our understanding of the limits of life.
... A 'migr ation-equilibr ated' micr obiota could also feasibly occur via means of dormancy, where microbes which are ill-suited to the migratory medium enter a state of a dormancy until exposed to mor e favour able conditions in the origin/destination envir onments, thus tempor aril y bypassing selection that may be acting on nondormant members of the community. For example, the persistence and presence of halophilic microbes in migrating flamingos (Yim et al. 2015, Kemp et al. 2018, Gillingham et al. 2019 ) may be aided b y dormanc y. Although dormanc y has been fr equentl y described in nonhost-associated microbiota (Jones and Lennon 2010, Locey et al. 2020, Sorensen and Shade 2020, to our knowledge no studies have yet explored dormancy in microbiota associated with a host. ...
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Host-associated microbial communities are shaped by host migratory movements. These movements can have contrasting impacts on microbiota, and understanding such patterns can provide insight into the ecological processes that contribute to community diversity. Furthermore, long-distance movements to new environments are anticipated to occur with increasing frequency due to host distribution shifts resulting from climate change. Understanding how hosts transport their microbiota with them could be of importance when examining biological invasions. Although microbial community shifts are well-documented, the underlying mechanisms that lead to the restructuring of these communities remain relatively unexplored. Using literature and ecological simulations, we develop a framework to elucidate the major factors that lead to community change. We group host movements into two types—regular (repeated/cyclical migratory movements, as found in many birds and mammals) and irregular (stochastic/infrequent movements that do not occur on a cyclical basis, as found in many insects and plants). Ecological simulations and prior research suggest that movement type and frequency, alongside environmental exposure (e.g. internal/external microbiota) are key considerations for understanding movement-associated community changes. From our framework, we derive a series of testable hypotheses, and suggest means to test them, to facilitate future research into host movement and microbial community dynamics.
... Interestingly, it has been discovered that the feathers of flamingos contain live cells of Haloarchaea belonging to the genera Halococcus and Halogeometricum. In addition, pigment analysis of the feathers of these birds revealed the presence of BR and its derivatives [89,90]. However, further research is needed to determine whether Haloarchaea may play a role in regulating Haloferax mediterranei R4 (ATCC 33500 T) [52] [80] Arthrobacter glacialis [81] environmental factors that affect bird plumage coloration or perhaps in shielding feather microstructures from UV radiation [89]. ...
Article
Bacterioruberin (BR) is a fat-soluble, dipolar, reddish pigment predominantly found in halophilic archaea. BR is a rare C50 carotenoid from the xanthophyll family, and it has been extensively studied for its potent antioxidant properties, such as its ability to protect cells from oxidative stress. In addition, several studies have shown that BR-rich extracts and its derivatives exhibit significant antiviral, antidiabetic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects, making them ideal candidates for the development of novel therapeutic interventions against various diseases. Although it possesses remarkable biological properties, studies related to the regulatory aspects of biosynthesis, in vitro and in vivo studies of purified BR have been rare. However, investigations are needed to explore the potential application of BR in various industries. Additionally, optimization of the culture conditions of BR-producing haloarchaea could pave the way for their sustainable production and utilization. The current review provides comprehensive information on BR, which includes the sources of this compound and its bioproduction, extraction, stability, toxicity, and biological activities in relation to its commercial applications. This review also discusses the potential challenges and limitations associated with BR bioproduction and its utilization in various industries. In addition, this treatise highlights the need for further research to optimize production and extraction methods and explore avenues for novel applications of BR in various sectors, such as pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetics.
... Their use as adulterants to improve the hue of palm oil is unfortunately on the rise. Adulterations with these additives have been reported to affect the physical properties of palm oil [16,17]. ...
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The physicochemical properties of adulterated, unadulterated, crude and bleached palm oil samples were determined so as to access the impact of additives and bleaching on the oil samples. The adulteration was done by introducing Sudan dyes (azo dyes) in the sample. Physical properties of the samples, such as Free Fatty Acid (FFA), moisture content, peroxide value, Specific Gravity (S.G) and colour were measured using standard methods. Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) Spectroscopy was also carried out on the oil samples to determine the effects of the dye and bleaching on the chemical composition of the samples. From the results obtained, the values of the physical properties measured were higher in the adulterated samples than in the unadulterated samples. The value of the Free Fatty Acid (FFA) for Crude Unadulterated Palm Oil (CUPO) was 10.67% and that of the Crude Adulterated Palm Oil (CAPO) was 16.46% wherein the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) value is 5.0 max. The value of the FFA for the adulterated palm oil was higher than that of the unadulterated palm oil sample, in which both did not fit into the standard. The FFA values of the Bleached Unadulterated Palm Oil (BUPO) were 7.75% and Bleached Adulterated Palm Oil (BAPO) was 14.64% which are within the range of the NIS permissible limit. Moisture content values for CUPO was 0.69%), CAPO=0.79%, BUPO-0.28% and that of BAPO was 0.45%. The NIS limit is 0.5max, so the values of CUPO and CAPO are above the limit. For the Peroxide values, CUPO had a value of 5.81 Meq/kg, CAPO=17.77 Meq/kg, BUPO=3.40 Meq/kg and that of BAPO was 12.69 Meq/kg, against the NIS of 10 Meq/kg. The values of the specific gravity of the different samples are: 0.905 for CUPO, 0.909 for CAPO, 0.911 for BUPO and 0.906 for BAPO. The values were all above the NIS standard value of 0.901. For the colour, CUPO and BUPO were within the NIS range while the values for CAPO and BAPO were over the maximum, whereas the values for the unadulterated sample were within the Nigerian Industrial Standard. The FTIR results revealed that unsaturation in the oil is lost by the reaction of the fatty acids in the oil with the dyes. Bleaching also results to bond breakages in the oil samples, therefore, adulteration destroys the quality of palm oil.
... These pigments, called carotenoids, are found in algae, crustaceans, and other aquatic organisms that the flamingos consume. Over time, the carotenoids accumulate in the flamingo's feathers, giving them their characteristic pink coloration (Matthew 2017;KJ et al. 2015). Given this association with the color pink, the name FLAMINGO provides a natural connection to this color. ...
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This paper argues why FLAMINGO (Fast Light Atmospheric Monitoring and Imaging Novel Gamma-ray Observatory) is the perfect name for an array of Cherenkov telescopes. Studies which indicate pink is the most suitable pigment for the structures of Cherenkov telescopes have passed with flying colors. Pink optimizes the absorption and reflectivity properties of the telescopes with respect to the characteristic blue color of the Cherenkov radiation emitted by high-energy particles in the atmosphere. In addition to giving the sensitivity a big leg up, a pink color scheme also adds a unique and visually appealing aspect to the project's branding and outreach efforts. FLAMINGO has a fun and memorable quality that can help to increase public engagement and interest in astrophysics and also help to promote diversity in the field with its colorful nature. In an era of increasingly unpronounceable scientific acronyms, we are putting our foot down. FLAMINGO is particularly fitting, as flamingos have eyesight optimized to detect small particles, aligning with the primary purpose of Cherenkov telescopes to detect faint signals from air showers. We should not wait in the wings just wishing for new name to come along: in FLAMINGO we have an acronym that both accurately reflects the science behind Cherenkov telescopes and provides a visually striking identity for the project. While such a sea change will be no easy feet, we are glad to stick our necks out and try: FLAMINGO captures the essence of what an array of Cherenkov telescopes represents and can help to promote the science to a wider audience. We aim to create an experiment and brand that people from all walks of life will flock to.
... The source of the beautiful, brilliant colors of bird feathers can be pigmented or structural. Pigment colors; include melanin (D'Alba et al., 2014;Galván and Solano, 2016), carotenoids Thomas et al., 2014;Thomas and James, 2005;Shawkey and Hill, 2005;McGraw and Toomey, 2010;Yim et al., 2015), porphyrins (With, 1978), psittacofarvin (Tin-bergen et al., 2013), and spheniscin (Thomas et al., 2012), and structural colors; include thin-film interference of cortical β-keratin (Nakamura et al., 2008;Eliason and Shawkey, 2010;Stavenga, 2014;Okazaki, 2019), a spongy layer bellow the cortex (Shawkey et al., 2009;Yin et al., 2012;Saranathan et al., 2012;Prum et al., 2009;Okazaki, 2020a;Stavenga et al., 2011), and the lattice structure of melanin granules (Yoshioka and Kinoshita, 2002;Zi et al., 2003;Dakin and Montgomerie, 2013;Medina et al., 2015). When either the left-or right-handed CPL was irradiated on the surface of dove and mallard feathers, the structural color reflected the left-or right-handed CPL opposite to the direction of irradiated light. ...
Article
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In order to clarify the relationship between the structural color and the nanolevel structure of bird feathers, the cortical thin-film structure, the shape of melanin granules, and their arrangement were observed using transmission electron microscopy. The reflection spectra were calculated based on the electron microscopic image data using Fresnel's equation to simulate a thin-film interference and Bragg's law to simulate a photonic crystal, then were compared with the actual reflection spectra. The simulation spectra calculated using Fresnel's equation were very similar to the reflection spectra from dove and mallard feathers. The reflection spectra from each part of the eye-spot pattern of peacock feathers were very similar to both simulation spectra using Fresnel's and Bragg's equations. In the peacock feathers, the structural color from the cortex and the three-dimensional photonic crystal consisting of the lattice structure of rod-shaped melanin granules were fused to further enhance the selectivity.
... Bacterioruberin is also currently used to encapsulate drugs, allowing its safe administration and stability capable of resisting the human stomach's harsh environment [18]. Also, the haloarchaeal carotenoid-based pigments may contribute to the distinctive colours of flamingo's feathers coloration either by colonization or accumulation in the food chain (small salt crustaceans) and are one of the environmental factors behind their plumage coloration [19]. ...
Article
Haloarchaea are mostly components of the microbial biomass of saline aquatic environments, where they can be a dietary source of heterotrophic metazoans or contribute to flamingo’s plumage coloration. The diversity of secondary metabolites (SMs) produced by haloarchaea, which might play multiple ecological roles and have diverse biotechnological applications has been largely understudied. Herein, 67 haloarchaeal complete genomes were analyzed and 182 SMs biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) identified that encode the production of terpenes (including carotenoids), RiPPs and siderophores. Terpene BGCs were further analysed and it was concluded that all haloarchaea might produce squalene and bacterioruberin, which one a strong antioxidant. Most of them have other carotenoid BGCs that include a putative β-carotene ketolase that was not characterized so far in haloarchaea, but may be involved with canthaxanthin's biosynthesis. The production of bacterioruberin by Haloferax mediterranei ATCC 33500 was found to be not related to its antimicrobial activity.
... Recent contributions in this field have revealed that there are other important factors contributing to the red-orange-pink colour of the feathers. Between them, it is important to highlight the following: (i) genetics [2]; (ii) variation in carotenoidprotein interactions in bird feathers structures, which produces novel plumage coloration [63] and (iii) the presence of alive red-orange microorganisms on the surface of the feathers [64]. This last factor has recently been reported from flamingos growing up in captivity: viable, red-coloured archaeal strains belonging to the genera Halococcus and Halogeometricum were isolated from the surface of the plumage [64]. ...
Chapter
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Some seabirds or coastal birds such as flamingos or pelicans display elegant pink or reddish colours. These colours are due to pigments that birds cannot synthesize de novo. Thus, this coloration is mainly originated from carotenoids ingested trough carotenoid rich food sources like microalgae (Dunaliella) or small shrimps (Artemia), which are microorganisms inhabiting the salty environments where the mentioned birds live. New advances in this field of knowledge have revealed that extreme microorganisms belonging to the haloarchaea group (Archaea Domain) may contribute significantly to the characteristic pink- red colour of flamingos’ feathers for instance. Alive haloarchaea cells have been found on the surface of the feathers. Besides, the major carotenoid produced by haloarchaea (bacterioruberin) has also been identify within the feathers structure. This work summarizes the main contributions recently reported about this topic as well as general aspects regarding bacterioruberin as a powerful colour carotenoid. Discussions about potential role of these microorganisms in the life of seaside birds are also included.
... Information regarding the community-based genetic and functional traits of archaea in animal habitats is scarce. We have previously reported occurrences of diverse members of extremely halophilic archaea (haloarchaea) in avian plumage [13], as well as in food samples such as salt-fermented seafood [14] and solar salts [15,16]. In the human gut where the microbial entities thrive more abundantly than in other parts of the human body, the archaeome consisted mostly of methane-producing archaea (methanogens), of which, members belonging to the orders Methanobacteriales (including Methanobrevibacter smithii and Methanosphaera stadtmanae) and Methanomassiliicoccales (including Methanomethylophilaceae) are predominant [17]. ...
Article
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Background: Archaea are one of the least-studied members of the gut-dwelling autochthonous microbiota. Few studies have reported the dominance of methanogens in the archaeal microbiome (archaeome) of the human gut, although limited information regarding the diversity and abundance of other archaeal phylotypes is available. Results: We surveyed the archaeome of faecal samples collected from 897 East Asian subjects living in South Korea. In total, 42.47% faecal samples were positive for archaeal colonisation; these were subsequently subjected to archaeal 16S rRNA gene deep sequencing and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction-based abundance estimation. The mean archaeal relative abundance was 10.24 ± 4.58% of the total bacterial and archaeal abundance. We observed extensive colonisation of haloarchaea (95.54%) in the archaea-positive faecal samples, with 9.63% mean relative abundance in archaeal communities. Haloarchaea were relatively more abundant than methanogens in some samples. The presence of haloarchaea was also verified by fluorescence in situ hybridisation analysis. Owing to large inter-individual variations, we categorised the human gut archaeome into four archaeal enterotypes. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that the human gut archaeome is indigenous, responsive, and functional, expanding our understanding of the archaeal signature in the gut of human individuals. Video Abstract.
... Since GSL is a terminal lake and it is not connected to other water sources, and given the similar species of bacteria that inhabit hypersaline locations around the world, it is possible that birds are mechanical carriers. Haloarchaea have been shown to survive on avian hosts (Yim et al. 2015;Brito-Echeverría et al. 2009), and this hypothesis was supported by a recently GSL biogeography study (Kemp et al. 2018). Given the longevity in desiccated salt crystals (e.g., Vreeland et al. 2000), halophilic bacteria certainly may also be transported from place to place by migratory birds. ...
Chapter
The isolated north arm of Great Salt Lake, Utah, is a unique and complex environment with salinity at saturation, above 25% total salts. It is separated from the larger south arm, which experiences more freshwater input, due to a rock-filled causeway installed around 1960. Prior studies using both cultivation and molecular methods have shown that the microbial community of this part of the lake is diverse and dynamic, experiencing year-round fluctuations in salinity and temperature. The data emerging from our published studies and others have demonstrated the presence of microbial genera from all three domains of life, with the archaeal diversity being the greatest. When we cultivated approximately 50 isolates, the majority of these were genotyped as archaea, and only four cultivars belonged to the Domain bacteria. Thus, initial studies, reviewed herein, focused on understanding the diversity of the overrepresented archaea, using molecular, culture-independent methods to assess temporal diversity and significance of environmental parameters. Cultivation studies revealed details about how the stable members of the communities maintained their lifestyle using differential gene expression. But bacteria also live in this archaeal world, and they remain understudied in hypersaline systems. Therefore, we analyzed the bacterial isolates, genetically and biochemically, to reveal more information about the bacteria of the Great Salt Lake north arm. The genus Salinibacter was present throughout the year and mostly dominated the bacterial population. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of these bacterial cultivars demonstrated relationships to strains of Salinibacter, strains of Halomonas, and other uncultured deposited DNA sequences. To look at temporal diversity profiles of this bacterial minority, next-generation DNA sequencing (with semiconductor sequencing technology) was employed on DNA extracted from four water samples collected at different time points. The analysis showed that the majority of bacteria matched the genus Salinibacter, and the minority members of the microbial population were of the genera Anaeromyxobacter, Perexilibacter, Halomonas, Psychroflexus, Schlesneria, Pseudomonas, Roseovarius, Haliscomenobacter, and Vulgatibacter. Here, we discuss methods for microbial diversity studies in hypersaline aquatic systems and review the work on the microbial diversity of the north arm. We give an overview of the predominant halophilic archaea, but we present a broader picture by including new data on the underrepresented bacterial component of this fascinating community that manages a lifestyle at salt saturation.