Color Variants Research Articles

Fibre Medullation Characteristics in Peruvian Llamas (Lama glama)

Background: The textile use of llama fiber, achieved through genetic improvement, llama selection and management, shows great potential for producing high-quality clothing and fabrics; providing an alternative income to highland residents who raise llamas. The aim of this research was to determine the fiber medullation of white Ch´aku and Q´ara color varieties of Llamas (Lama glama) from the communities of the Macusani district, Puno Peru. Methods: A total of 88 Llamas from the Ch´aku and Q´ara white color varieties, including males and females, from the age of milk teeth and two teeth, were used. Fiber samples of approximately 10 g were taken from the thigh, middle rib and shoulder, totaling 264 samples. Samples were analyzed at the Fiber Laboratory of the District Municipality of Corani, using the FIBER MED equipment. Data were analyzed in a completely randomized design (CRD) with a 2(variety) × 2 (sex) × 2 (age group) × 3 (body area) factorial arrangement. Result: The percentage of fiber medullation types in Ch´aku and Q´ara Llamas averaged 46.02% and 47.38%, showing no significant difference (p greater than 0.05). In Ch´aku Llamas, a statistical difference was observed by sex (p less than 0.05) for the percentage of medullated, non-medullated and continuous fibers in males and females. In Q´ara variety, there was a significant difference in the percentage of medullated, non-medullated and continuous fibers between milk teeth and two teeth age groups. There was no significant difference (p greater than 0.05) between body area samples.

Autonomous multicolor bioluminescence imaging in bacteria, mammalian, and plant hosts

Bioluminescence imaging has become a valuable tool in biological research, offering several advantages over fluorescence-based techniques, including the absence of phototoxicity and photobleaching, along with a higher signal-to-noise ratio. Common bioluminescence imaging methods often require the addition of an external chemical substrate (luciferin), which can result in a decrease in luminescence intensity over time and limit prolonged observations. Since the bacterial bioluminescence system is genetically encoded for luciferase-luciferin production, it enables autonomous bioluminescence (auto-bioluminescence) imaging. However, its application to multiple reporters is restricted due to a limited range of color variants. Here, we report five-color auto-bioluminescence system named Nano-lanternX (NLX), which can be expressed in bacterial, mammalian, and plant hosts, thereby enabling auto-bioluminescence in various living organisms. Utilizing spectral unmixing, we achieved the successful observation of multicolor auto-bioluminescence, enabling detailed single-cell imaging across both bacterial and mammalian cells. We have also expanded the applications of the NLX system, such as multiplexed auto-bioluminescence imaging for gene expression, protein localization, and dynamics of biomolecules within living mammalian cells.

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) characteristics of four fluorite samples under green light stimulation

This study investigates the OSL properties of four natural fluorite color varieties (green, purple, blue-yellow banded and yellow) under green light stimulation. Thermoluminescence reveals two peaks, with the green sample showing the strongest glow. OSL exhibits a fast initial decay followed by a slower one, with phototransfer observed in purple and yellow. OSL intensity is linear with dose (1–30 Gy) for most samples, except yellow. Curve fitting using a first order kinetics model suggests multiple OSL components (between 3 and 5). Preheat treatment at 100 °C increases the very fast components (thermal transfer). Anomalous fading shows rapid initial decay followed by a slower one.

Colonial Glass Beads (16th-Cent.) from Indigenous Localities of the Tamtoc Peninsula (San Luis Potosí), Mexico

We have investigated two Nueva Cádiz tubular glass beads (16th-Century) from the indigenous localities of the Tamtoc Peninsula, Huasteca Potosina (Mexico). It was part of an exceptional discovery of 96 European glass beads found in archaeological contexts of the Early Colonial period (dated 14C 1512 AD ± 30 years, before 1560 AD). They correspond typologically to the Kidd's typology's colour variants IIIc1 and IIIc2. These multilayered beads are made from a gob formed by three successive dips, then blown up, drawn, and hot-formed before being sectioned. PIGE/PIXE (Particle-induced Induced Gamma and X-Ray Emissions) and Raman spectroscopy analyses reveal that the glass type is an ashes soda-lime-silica glass. Trace elements associated with the metal oxides used to tint and opacify these glasses are also significant. The outer layer of both types is blue-coloured by copper oxide while a mixture of tin and lead oxides opacifies the middle layer in white through cassiterite (SnO2) formation. As, Ni, Bi, and U contents reveal this cobalt, mixed with manganese, which colours the inner layer of type IIIc1 beads in purple, comes from the Freiberg mine in Southeastern Germany (Saxony). Compared with other Pan-American finds from the same period, these Mexican Nueva Cádiz beads have similar chemical compositions to specimens discovered in the colonial city ‘ruins of Nueva Cádiz (Cubagua Island, Venezuela). Finally, we question 16th-Century texts on how Mesoamerican peoples might have culturally perceived these blue beads made with a material unknown to them. By studying Mexico's colonial history, we propose several Spanish expeditions that may have introduced these beads to the Huasteca.

Widely targeted LC-MS/MS approach provides insights into variations in bioactive flavonoid compounds and their antioxidant activities in green, red, and purple sugarcane

Sugarcane produces enormous secondary metabolites that have significant nutritive and pharmacological value. However, flavonoid diversity, their molecular mechanism, and the transcription factor involved in the regulation of flavonoids are mostly unknown in sugarcane. This study revealed a total of 162 flavonoids, encompassing various subclasses such as flavones, flavonoid carbonosides, flavonols, dihydroflavones, dihydroflavonols, chalcones, flavanols, and isoflavones. Among the different color varieties, the purple rind of YT71-210 exhibited the maximum level of flavonoids (19.26 mg/mL) with significantly higher antiradical activities, followed by the red rind of ROC22 (16.83 mg/mL). Conversely, the green rind of YT93-159 displayed the lowest level of flavonoids (6.14 mg/mL). Furthermore, our transcriptome analysis identified candidate MYB transcription factors that are potentially associated with flavonoid biosynthesis. Notably, correlation analysis revealed a strong association between one candidate MYB gene and the flavonoid compounds, further supporting its role in flavonoid biosynthesis. To conclude, our study provides a comprehensive understanding of the flavonoid composition and the identification of candidate MYB transcription factors associated offers valuable insights into the genetic regulation of flavonoids.

Theoretical Insight into the Fluorescence Spectral Tuning Mechanism: A Case Study of Flavin-Dependent Bacterial Luciferase.

Bioluminescence of bacteria is widely applied in biological imaging, environmental toxicant detection, and many other situations. Understanding the spectral tuning mechanism not only helps explain the diversity of colors observed in nature but also provides principles for bioengineering new color variants for practical applications. In this study, time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) and quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations have been employed to understand the fluorescence spectral tuning mechanism of bacterial luciferase with a focus on the electrostatic effect. The spectrum can be tuned by both a homogeneous dielectric environment and oriented external electric fields (OEEFs). Increasing the solvent polarity leads to a redshift of the fluorescence emission maximum, λF, accompanied by a substantial increase in density. In contrast, applying an OEEF along the long axis of the isoalloxazine ring (X-axis) leads to a significant red- or blue-shift in λF, depending on the direction of the OEEF, yet with much smaller changes in intensity. The effect of polar solvents is directionless, and the red-shifts can be attributed to the larger dipole moment of the S1 state compared with that of the S0 state. However, the effect of OEEFs directly correlates with the difference dipole moment between the S1 and S0 states, which is directional and is determined by the charge redistribution upon deexcitation. Moreover, the electrostatic effect of bacterial luciferase is in line with the presence of an internal electric field (IEF) pointing in the negative X direction. Finally, the key residues that contribute to this IEF and strategies for modulating the spectrum through site-directed point mutations are discussed.

An Analysis of Welfare Standards Within Tiger (Panthera tigris) Facilities in Thailand.

In Thailand, tigers are more numerous in captivity than they are in the wild, with 51 facilities housing approximately 1962 tigers. As charismatic fauna, tigers are popular with tourists, and the majority of facilities offer a variety of entertainment activities with controversial reports towards the animals' welfare. The aim of this research was to investigate tiger welfare in Thai zoos to identify specific welfare issues. We assessed 34 tourism facilities holding tigers in Thailand in 2019 using a 25-point welfare assessment that utilizes the Five Domain model (incorporating all five domains: nutrition, physical environment, health, behavioural interactions and mental state). The mental domain score was derived from the scores of the other four domains. Additional data were collected from each facility, including the number of tigers, any colour variants, types of human interaction and admission cost. Welfare scores for each domain were calculated by totalling the scores per domain and dividing by the number of points allocated to that domain. A multiple regression was used to identify any significant predictors of mental domain score. The results revealed that the provision of a suitable physical environment scored the lowest, while nutrition scored the highest though this was still a low score overall. The multiple regression showed that 45.4% of the variance for the mental domain score was significantly affected by the number of colour variants housed and the types of human interaction available with facilities, with more of both these factors contributing to a more negative score. Our results demonstrate the need for urgent, comprehensive infrastructural, species-appropriate environment and design and animal management improvements to increase animal welfare. Informed institutional change toward the breeding and use of tigers for public interactions is also required. This is the first assessment completed of captive tiger welfare of tiger facilities in Thailand and shows that the welfare concerns encountered are within a high proportion (67%) of Thailand's facilities. This supports the need for the creation and enforcement of effective and clear captive wildlife operational standards to provide a sustained solution for captive tiger welfare and can provide a considered approach to ex-situ tiger management that, in conjunction with in-situ efforts, can improve much needed conservation efforts of this species.

Comprehensive comparison of two colour varieties of Perillae folium by UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS analysis combining with feature-based molecular networking

Perillae Folium (PF), the leaf of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt is extensively used as a culinary vegetable and medicinal herb in many countries. Purple PF (P. frutescens var. arguta) and green PF (P. frutescens var. frutescens) are two of the main varieties. In this study, UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS assisted with feature-based molecular networking (FBMN) was applied for chemical characterization. In total, 82 metabolites, mainly phenolic acid derivatives were identified from PF. With the help of FBMN, five organic acid glucosides together with three N-phenylpropenoyl-L-amino acids (NPAs) were identified in PF for the first time. Multivariate statistical methods were utilized for comprehensive comparison of purple and green PF profiles. 12 compounds with their relative contents varied significantly between purple and green PF were screened out. Overall, the present study offers valuable insights for chemical elucidation of PF which would be helpful for comprehensive utilization of PF resource.

Cross-cultural comparison of beauty judgments in visual art using machine learning analysis of art attribute predictors among Japanese and German speakers

In empirical art research, understanding how viewers judge visual artworks as beautiful is often explored through the study of attributes—specific inherent characteristics or artwork features such as color, complexity, and emotional expressiveness. These attributes form the basis for subjective evaluations, including the judgment of beauty. Building on this conceptual framework, our study examines the beauty judgments of 54 Western artworks made by native Japanese and German speakers, utilizing an extreme randomized trees model—a data-driven machine learning approach—to investigate cross-cultural differences in evaluation behavior. Our analysis of 17 attributes revealed that visual harmony, color variety, valence, and complexity significantly influenced beauty judgments across both cultural cohorts. Notably, preferences for complexity diverged significantly: while the native Japanese speakers found simpler artworks as more beautiful, the native German speakers evaluated more complex artworks as more beautiful. Further cultural distinctions were observed: for the native German speakers, emotional expressiveness was a significant factor, whereas for the native Japanese speakers, attributes such as brushwork, color world, and saturation were more impactful. Our findings illuminate the nuanced role that cultural context plays in shaping aesthetic judgments and demonstrate the utility of machine learning in unravelling these complex dynamics. This research not only advances our understanding of how beauty is judged in visual art—considering self-evaluated attributes—across different cultures but also underscores the potential of machine learning to enhance our comprehension of the aesthetic evaluation of visual artworks.

Painted flowers: Eluta generates pigment patterning in Antirrhinum.

In the early 1900s, Erwin Baur established Antirrhinum majus as a model system, identifying and characterising numerous flower colour variants. This included Picturatum/Eluta, which restricts the accumulation of magenta anthocyanin pigments, forming bullseye markings on the flower face. We identified the gene underlying the Eluta locus by transposon-tagging, using an Antirrhinum line that spontaneously lost the nonsuppressive el phenotype. A candidate MYB repressor gene at this locus contained a CACTA transposable element. We subsequently identified plants where this element excised, reverting to a suppressive Eluta phenotype. El alleles inhibit expression of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes, confirming it to be a regulatory locus. The modes of action of Eluta were investigated by generating stable transgenic tobacco lines, biolistic transformation of Antirrhinum petals and promoter activation/repression assays. Eluta competes with MYB activators for promoter cis-elements, and also by titrating essential cofactors (bHLH proteins) to reduce transcription of target genes. Eluta restricts the pigmentation established by the R2R3-MYB factors, Rosea and Venosa, with the greatest repression on those parts of the petals where Eluta is most highly expressed. Baur questioned the origin of heredity units determining flower colour variation in cultivated A. majus. Our findings support introgression from wild species into cultivated varieties.

Dual-emission CPB@SMSO@SiO2 composites with tunable afterglow through energy transfer

Afterglow materials face limitations in color variety, low luminosity, and stability. Thus, developing materials with adjustable afterglow color, increased photoluminescence (PL) intensity, and enhanced stability is crucial. This paper reports the fabrication of a series of core–shell composites, CPB@SMSO@SiO2, which combine Sr2MgSi2O7: Eu2+, Dy3+ (SMSO) and lead halide perovskite quantum dots (CsPbBr3/CPB PeQDs) through a process involving in-situ growth and hydrolytic coating. The SMSO in the composite can absorb 365 nm UV light and then emit 470 nm light, which can be absorbed by the CsPbBr3 PeQDs, resulting in an overall increase in the PL intensity of the composite. The afterglow color can be turned from green to blue by adjusting the ratio of SMSO and CsPbBr3. Furthermore, the stability of the composites is improved by the SiO2 shell layer formed by hydrolysis of tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS). This study presents an opportunity to develop innovative afterglow materials.

Flower Species Ingredient Verification Using Orthogonal Molecular Methods.

Flowers are gaining considerable interest among consumers as ingredients in food, beverages, cosmetics, and natural health products. The supply chain trades in multiple forms of botanicals, including fresh whole flowers, which are easier to identify than dried flowers or flowers processed as powdered or liquid extracts. There is a gap in the scientific methods available for the verification of flower species ingredients traded in the supply chains of multiple markets. The objective of this paper is to develop methods for flower species ingredient verification using two orthogonal methods. More specifically, the objectives of this study employed both (1) DNA-based molecular diagnostic methods and (2) NMR metabolite fingerprint methods in the identification of 23 common flower species ingredients. NMR data analysis reveals considerable information on the variation in metabolites present in different flower species, including color variants within species. This study provides a comprehensive comparison of two orthogonal methods for verifying flower species ingredient supply chains to ensure the highest quality products. By thoroughly analyzing the benefits and limitations of each approach, this research offers valuable insights to support quality assurance and improve consumer confidence.

Whole genome resequencing reveals the genetic basis of albino phenotype in an ornamental fish, Channa asiatica

Body color is one of the most noticeable phenotypic and economic characteristics in fish. Fish exhibit a diverse array of body color mutations influenced by factors such as artificial selection and natural mutations. Elucidating the genetic mechanisms of these color variants in fish is crucial for developing new breeds with higher ornamental value. In this study, we identified a nonsense mutation in csf1ra (c. 1249 C>T) with whole genome resequencing technology, and which may potentially contribute to the albino phenotype in Channa asiatica. The albino individuals exhibited a substantial decrease in the expression level of csf1ra compared to that of the wild individuals. To unravel the underlying mechanism of csf1ra, we delved into comparative transcriptomic and gene expression analyses. Our findings suggest that csf1ra may impact tyrosine kinase activity. Furthermore, csf1ra may not only regulate the expression levels of genes (sox9, ephb6, and wnt9) involved in melanin-based pigmentation but also influence genes (ampd3, ak1, and bco1) associated with non-melanin-based pigmentation. Our study investigated the genetic basis of the albino mutant of C. asiatica and provided new insights into the function of csf1ra in fish pigmentation.

Cytological Studies in the Genus <i>Amaryllis</i>

One species and eight horticultural varieties of Amaryllis show a basic number of x=11, which is the predominant basic number of the family. In both Amaryllis belladonna and Amaryllis-Mrs. Garfield the normal somatic number is 2n=22. All the seven colour varieties of Amaryllis-Giant Dutch have 2n=44 chromosomes. These varieties differ from one another in the minor alterations of the chromosome types suggesting the role of minor structural alterations in evolution. In addition to the normal somatic complement a number of variant nuclei with altered karyotypes have been recorded.

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOSILICA (SiO2) VOLCANIC ROCK OF MOUNT BATUR IN BALI

This research was conducted to synthesize and characterize silica minerals (SiO2) from volcanic rocks in the active volcano in Bali, namely Mount Batur. The synthesis carried out on five different color variants of this rock sample is by the coprecipitation method which begins with the process of taking rock samples on Mount Batur, crushing the rock until it becomes powder with a size of 100 mesh, washing with distilled water and drying, immersing the rock powder in the solution. 2 M HCl for 12 hours, then the results of the soaking were reacted again with 7 M NaOH solution as a hydrolysis process to obtain pure SiO2 in the sample. In the form of sodium silicate precursor (Na2SiO3), the sample was titrated with a 2 M HCl solution to obtain silica gel which was then washed and dried until amorphous silica powder was produced. The results of the XRF analysis showed that the SiO2 mineral content in the sample after going through the synthesis process was 94.9% and the Si element was 89.9%. The XRD characterization results show that the phase formed from the sample has a quartz structure with the highest peak at an angle of 2θ = 23.07o, then decreases and levels out at an angle of 2θ = 32.94o which is characteristic of an amorphous structure and with a silica grain size of 8.47 nm – 8.65 nm.

Identification of pigmentation genes in skin, muscle and tail of a Thai-flag variety of Siamese fighting fish Betta splendens

Pigmentation genes expressed in skin, body muscle and tail of Thai-flag compared with Blue, White and Red varieties of Siamese fighting fish Betta splendens were identified. In total, 22,919 new unigenes were found. Pearson correlation and PCA analysis revealed that expression profiles of genes in muscle, skin and tail across solid color variety were similar. In contrast, those in skin and red tail part of Thai-flag were closely related but they showed different expression profiles with the white tail part. Moreover, 21,347–64,965 SNPs were identified in exonic regions of identified genes. In total, 28,899 genes were differentially expressed between paired comparisons of libraries where 13,907 genes (48.12 %) were upregulated and 14,992 genes (51.88 %) were downregulated. DEGs between paired libraries were 106–5775 genes relative to the compared libraries (56–2982 and 50–2782 for upregulated and downregulated DEGs). Interestingly, 432 pigmentation genes of B. splendens were found. Of these, 297 DEGs showed differential expression between varieties. Many DEGs in melanogenesis (Bsmcr1r, Bsmcr5r, and Bsslc2a15b), tyrosine metabolism (Bstyr, Bstyrp1b and Bsdct), stripe repressor (BsAsip1 and BsAsip2b), pteridine (Bsgch2) and carotenoid (BsBco2) biosynthesis were downregulated in the Thai-flag compared with solid color varieties. Expression of Bsbco1l, Bsfrem2b, Bskcnj13, Bszic2a and Bspah in skin, muscle and tail of Thai-flag, Blue, Red and White varieties was analyzed by qRT-PCR and revealed differential expression between fish varieties and showed anatomical tissue-preferred expression patterns in the same fish variety. The information could be applied to assist genetic-based development of new B. splendens varieties in the future.

Floriculture and Transgenic

“Genetic engineering has revolutionized floriculture by enabling the modification of plant species and the creation of new flower color varieties (Chandler, Stephen et al, 2010). Despite the global cultivation of transgenic crops, floriculture has been slow to adopt transgenic breeding. "Floriculture, with its cut flower market as a significant component, is on track to achieve a market size of $43.8 billion by 2027, according to Markets and Markets. This industry plays a crucial role in uplifting rural economies through international trade. For instance, floriculture products from Africa find their way to markets in the U.S. and Europe. Similarly, Asian nations such as Japan, China, and India are strengthening their financial positions through the import and export of floriculture commodities (Tanaka, Yoshizu et al., 2009). One of the notable advancements in floriculture has been the creation of new flower color varieties by manipulating pigment metabolic pathways in plants. However, there are challenges. Some flowering plants, despite their high market value, do not realize their full economic potential due to issues like prolonged flowering seasons and diseases." These challenges can be addressed through the production of transgenic plants using genetic engineering and plant tissue culture techniques. The study aims to explore the potential of genetic engineering associated with plant tissue culture techniques in enhancing floriculture, particularly in developing new flower color varieties and improving the production of high-value flowering plants, thereby highlighting the economic impact of floriculture globally.

Trade in Prevost’s squirrels: legality, risk for introduction and disease transmission

Squirrels traded for pets or consumption have the potential to be vectors for zoonotic disease transmission and to establish themselves as invasive species. Callosciurus spp. (Greek for beautiful squirrel) are popular in the pet trade due to their medium size and many colour variants, though several feral populations have established themselves in various parts of the world and these wild-caught individuals can carry and spread infectious diseases. Here, we investigate the live trade in Prevost’s squirrels (C. prevosti) in Indonesia where they are naturally found on the islands of Sumatra, Bangka and Borneo. Between 2016 and 2024, we recorded 284 Prevost’s squirrels for sale, viz., 115 in the physical markets and 169 online. We detected the species for sale in Sumatra (13 individuals), Bangka (7) and Borneo (3), i.e. within their natural range, but also on Java (242) and Bali (4). The mean asking price per individual was US$63, and younger individuals commanded higher prices than older ones. Asking prices were not higher in cities further away from the species’ native range nor in cities with higher purchasing power. All individuals were wild-caught, and with a domestic quota of five individuals allowed to be traded as pets per year (45 over the study period) most of this trade is illegal under Indonesian law. This is distinctly different from trade in Prevost’s squirrels in for instance Europe or the USA where legally captive-bred individuals are offered for sale. In Indonesia the illegal trade happens in the open and despite the risk of the spread of zoonotic diseases wherever it is traded there appears to be little incentive on the side of the authorities to curb this trade. Their widespread availability on Java and Bali risks the accidental or deliberate introduction on these two islands. Better coordination is needed between the Indonesian authorities, online sales sites, pet traders and consumers to stop the sale of illegally obtained Prevost’s squirrels to limit the risk of them becoming invasive species or contributing to the spread of emerging infectious diseases.

Classification of grape seed residues from distillation industries in Europe according to the polyphenol composition highlights the influence of variety, geographical origin and color

Grape seed residues represent the raw material to produce several value-added products including polyphenol-rich extracts with nutritional and health attributes. Although the impact of variety and environmental conditions on the polyphenol composition in fresh berries is recognized, no data are available regarding grape seed residues. The chemical composition of grape seed residues from wine distilleries in France, Spain and Italy was characterized by mass spectrometry. Forty-two metabolites were identified belonging to non-galloylated and galloylated procyanidins as well as amino acids. Polyphenol concentrations in the red varieties originated from Champagne or Veneto were twice higher than in white varieties from the Loire Valley. The chemical profiles of grape seed residues were mainly classified according to the color variety with galloylated procyanidins as biomarkers of white varieties and non-galloylated procyanidins as biomarkers of red ones. The present approach might assist the selection of grape seed residues as quality raw materials for the production of polyphenol-rich extracts.

Aesthetic preference for artificially selected color variant affects mate choice copying behavior in female Poecilia latipinna.

Three experiments were conducted examining whether an artificially selected "gold" color variant in female "models" affects mate choice copying behavior in sailfin mollies (Poecilia latipinna). Experiment I consisted of a pair of female preference assays, first assessing preference for male body size, followed by a mate choice copying assay that paired a model female with the smaller, non-preferred male from the initial preference test. Female subjects were divided into three groups that used either a wildtype female model, an artificially selected "gold" variant (cultivated within the aquarium fish trade) model, or control wherein no model was presented. Results showed females consistently copied the model's choice, switching preferences from the larger to smaller male when paired with a model regardless of color. In the second experiment wildtype females were presented with a pair of size-matched dummy males both of which paired with model females (one gold and the other wild type). Subjects consistently preferred the male previously paired with the gold- over the male with the wildtype-model, suggesting pre-existing sensory/perceptual biases may have affected their mate choice copying behavior. Previous studies have offered evidence for the spread of novel traits in males via sensory exploitation. However, these results indicate such biases may influence courtship behavior in circumstances where the novel trait is expressed in females as well. For the third experiment, wildtype females were presented with a choice between gold vs wildtype dummy males, the results of which revealing significant preferences for gold. In a follow-up assay pairing a wild type model with the non-preferred wildtype male, females maintained their preference for gold males despite the conflicting social driver of mate choice copying. These data offer evidence for the existence of a perceptual/cognitive bias in the context of mate choice copying, favoring the gold phenotype and/or novelty in general.