A single gene, doublesex, controls wing mimicry in butterflies
Thursday, March 6, 2014 - 17:50
in Biology & Nature
Papilio polytes, an Asian swallowtail butterfly species also known as the Common Mormon, possesses distinctive mimicry patterns (left). The same species also has non-mimetic forms (right). A single gene regulates the complex wing patterns, colors and structures required for mimicry in swallowtail butterflies, report scientists from the University of Chicago, March 5 in Nature. Surprisingly, the gene described, doublesex, is already well-known for its critical role in sexual differentiation in insects.