How “Super Gene” Doublesex Fools This Butterfly’s Predators
- 10 years ago
A recent study on Asia’s Common Mormon Swallowtail butterfly’s varying wing patterns has identified the “super gene” responsible for the insect’s mimicry as well as other critical functions.
The many mysteries of mimicry, where animals or plants imitate other more toxic or threatening species typically to scare off predators, have continued to stump biologists. However, a recent study on Asia’s Common Mormon Swallowtail butterfly’s varying wing patterns has identified the “super gene” responsible for the mimicry as well as other critical functions.
University of Chicago’s evolutionary biologist Marcus Kronforst led a team researching how the female butterfly displays one of four different color schemes in its detailed wing patterns – three of which belong to poisonous relatives. The team mated butterflies with various wing patterns and then mapped the gene expression of their 500 offspring.
Believing it would take a cluster of “super genes,” each working on their own tasks, to accomplish the mimicry, Kronforst said of the findings, “We were very shocked when we found it was just the one.”
Called “doublesex,” this gene was already known to have the job of forming proteins that let the body know whether its male or female.
This study identified the additional job of managing other inherited genes and mutations in the creation of wing patterns.
According to Kronforst, “It’s possible that this gene is doing lots of other stuff.” Future research will look to answer the many questions that remain, including why the male butterflies in this species do not receive the same mimicry traits.
The many mysteries of mimicry, where animals or plants imitate other more toxic or threatening species typically to scare off predators, have continued to stump biologists. However, a recent study on Asia’s Common Mormon Swallowtail butterfly’s varying wing patterns has identified the “super gene” responsible for the mimicry as well as other critical functions.
University of Chicago’s evolutionary biologist Marcus Kronforst led a team researching how the female butterfly displays one of four different color schemes in its detailed wing patterns – three of which belong to poisonous relatives. The team mated butterflies with various wing patterns and then mapped the gene expression of their 500 offspring.
Believing it would take a cluster of “super genes,” each working on their own tasks, to accomplish the mimicry, Kronforst said of the findings, “We were very shocked when we found it was just the one.”
Called “doublesex,” this gene was already known to have the job of forming proteins that let the body know whether its male or female.
This study identified the additional job of managing other inherited genes and mutations in the creation of wing patterns.
According to Kronforst, “It’s possible that this gene is doing lots of other stuff.” Future research will look to answer the many questions that remain, including why the male butterflies in this species do not receive the same mimicry traits.