 |
|
New study uncovers secrets behind butterfly wing patterns
October 26, 2007The genes that make a fruit fly's eyes red also produce red wing patterns in the Heliconius butterfly found in South and Central America, finds a new study by a UC Irvine entomologist.
Bob Reed, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, discovered that genes involved in making insect eye pigments evolved over time to also make wing pigments in butterflies. This finding sheds light on the genetic causes of wing patterns and why, in the Heliconius, those patterns can vary widely from region to region.
"We found that evolution is achieved primarily through recycling old genes into new functions, as opposed to evolving entirely new genes from scratch," Reed said.
Results of the study appeared online this week in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Within one species of the butterfly genus Heliconius, more than 20 distinct wing patterns can exist in different geographic regions. Over time, the Heliconius evolves to look like local unrelated butterfly species that are poisonous to birds, a phenomenon called mimicry.
"It is a very basic textbook example of natural selection," Reed said. "If you look like you're poisonous, you're not going to get eaten and you can produce offspring."
Reed's study also explains under which conditions certain genes will cause a stripe on a Heliconius wing to become yellow or red.
W. Owen McMillan of the University of Puerto Rico and Lisa M. Nagy of the University of Arizona also worked on this study, which was funded by the National Science Foundation and a University of Arizona IGERT genomics fellowship.
UC Irvine has two additional butterfly experts - Adriana Briscoe, who studies butterfly eyes and color vision, and Tony Long, who studies eyespot patterns on butterfly wings. All three scientists are members of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in the School of Biological Sciences.
University of California, Irvine
Results of the study appeared online this week in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Within one species of the butterfly genus Heliconius, more than 20 distinct wing patterns can exist in different geographic regions. Over time, the Heliconius evolves to look like local unrelated butterfly species that are poisonous to birds, a phenomenon called mimicry.
"It is a very basic textbook example of natural selection," Reed said. "If you look like you're poisonous, you're not going to get eaten and you can produce offspring."
Reed's study also explains under which conditions certain genes will cause a stripe on a Heliconius wing to become yellow or red.
W. Owen McMillan of the University of Puerto Rico and Lisa M. Nagy of the University of Arizona also worked on this study, which was funded by the National Science Foundation and a University of Arizona IGERT genomics fellowship.
UC Irvine has two additional butterfly experts - Adriana Briscoe, who studies butterfly eyes and color vision, and Tony Long, who studies eyespot patterns on butterfly wings. All three scientists are members of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in the School of Biological Sciences.
University of California, Irvine
Molecules spontaneously form honeycomb network featuring pores of unprecedented size
UC Riverside researchers have discovered a new way in which nature creates complex patterns: the assembly of molecules with no guidance from an outside source. Potential applications of the finding are paints, lubricants, medical implants, and processes where surface-patterning at the scale of molecules is desired.
Female Butterflies Go for Sparkle - Not Size - When Choosing to Mate
Size doesn't matter, at least not the size of the eyespots on a male butterfly's wings when female butterflies consider potential mates.
Nature press release for 17 January issue
[415331] LIFELINES: AIDS VACCINE PROGRESS (pp331-335; 335-339; N&V) An experimental AIDS vaccine is able to control infection in monkeys, researchers report in this week`s Nature. However, surviving virus may escape its effects by mutating, warns a second report in the same issue. AIDS is notoriously difficult to target with vaccines, which are unable to induce antibodies against a broad range of virus strains. Vaccine researchers are now taking an alternative strategy: stimulating the immune system`s T cells to attack virus-infected cells. Using this technique, Emilio Emini of Merck Research Laboratories in West Point, Pennsylvannia, and colleagues show that macaques immunized with a DNA v
More Butterfly Wing Current Events and Butterfly Wing News Articles
 |
Sassy 602 - Teething Wing Butterfly by Sassy Little teethers can happily ease their discomfort with butterfly wings. The Sassy Teething Wing Butterfly helps to soothe tender gums with its various textures -- one wing is chewy and nubby, the other is hard with ridges and bumps. Easy to grasp and brightly colored, this is one butterfly you will want to keep for your collection. |
 |
Silk Butterfly Wings by Sarah's Silks by Sarah's Silks Lovingly designed by Sarah's silks, our Silk Wings are made of light, airy silk and hand-dyed in beautiful color combinations. The broad satin ties make them easy to tie on. Wrist loops for great flying action. Styles are open-ended so children can imagin |
 |
Wings Child Butterfly Orange by Unknown Beautiful nylon wings measure approximately 24 inches wide x 21 inches high and tie around body. |
 |
Peel & Stick by Numbers Things with Wings by Lauri Toys There are many ways to give children a head start on tomorrow, and this is a fun way to do it. Peel And Stick is a fun mosaic-art activity set for children ages 5 and up. The set uses small square tiles of Lauri's famous foam to create masterpiece mosaic-art pieces It is fun and very easy to do since Lauri supplies the art templates which are number coded...yes, it is mosaic art by number! |
 |
Butterfly Wings Black & Purple by Extreme Halloween Butterfly Wings Black and Purple Size: 28 Inches High and 23 Inches Wide. |
 |
Carnival Butterfly Wings By Lucy Locket by Lucy Locket These huge and colourful glittery wings are one of our most popular styles of fairy wings! Matching Carnival Fairy Wand also available |
 |
Pink Butterfly Fairy Dress Up Set (3pc) by Cutie Collections An adorable dress up set for your favorite little pixie. This pink set includes a headband, wand and wings all adorned with silver glitter sparkles. The wings measure 15" x 13" and the wand measures 17" long. The headband is child size. WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years. |
 |
Dark Pink Marabou Glitter Nylon Butterfly Dress Up Fairy Wings girl princess wedding dress-up apparel by Bugs-n-Blooms We specialize in the largest variety of nylon hanging butterflies, dragonflies, ladybugs, bees, and daisy flowers to capture your imagination and inspire you. Hang these pretty butterfly decorations from the ceilings or attach to the walls to create a girls garden themed room. Our delightful butterfly decor can also add a special touch to any birthday party, baby shower or wedding as they will captivate all audiences. When used as props in photo shoots or even in scrapbooks you're sure to bring out smiles and beautiful memories. |
 |
Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings: When someone you love has cancer...a hopeful, helpful book for kids by Ellen McVicker (Author), Nanci Hersh (Illustrator) This is a listen-to or read-aloud book for children. It is a resource that can be used to educate and support any child who is facing the cancer of aloved one. The story, as told through the eyes of a child, lends itself to a simple and clear understanding of cancer. It also teaches children to realize the power they have to be an active and integral part of a loved one's cancer journey. |
 |
Fairy Tote Bag with Pink Tute, Butterfly Wand and Fairy Wings by A Wish Come True (Pink) by A Wish Come True Pink Fairy Tote packs up a two-tone tulle tutu, mini wings, and a butterfly wand in one handy bag. Your fairy will be casting good spells right and left with this adorable outfit. The handy clear bag makes it easy for your pixie fairy to bring her outfit wherever she goes, or to reuse for other fairy finery. Pink Fairy Tote with Outfit fits approximate ages 3-6 years. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |