Turacin
Ramphocelus bresilius belly, right). Green in center is due to turacoverdin
.Turacin is a naturally occurring
uroporphyrin III. Arthur Herbert Church discovered turacin in 1869.[1]
It is found only in the
phaeomelanins
(rusty and brownish-reds).
It is often assumed that this coloration will wash out when the birds are bathing or after heavy rains, but this is true only if the water used for bathing happens to be very
alkaline
.
See also
- Psittacofulvin, a brightly colored red and yellow pigment unique to parrots
- Turacoverdin, green pigment unique to turacos
References
- JSTOR 109012.
- ^ Online Medical Dictionary
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