Asian butterfly populations show different mimicry patterns thanks to genetic 'switch'
Credit: Gan Cheong Weei A new study by researchers at the University of Chicago and the City College of New York (CCNY) has identified a unique, genetic "mimicry switch" that determines whether or not male and female Elymnias hypermnestra palmflies mimic the same or different species of butterflies. The results indicate that sexual dimorphism has repeatedly emerged in different palmfly populations, and linked the trait to a gene associated with melanin localization and regulation. Published on Jan. 13 in the journal Royal Proceedings of the Academy B, these results can help scientists start...
Source: eurekalert.org