A5012283094- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Plant and animal studies
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
- Plant Molecular Biology Research
- Genetic Mapping and Diversity in Plants and Animals
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Plant and Fungal Interactions Research
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Cancer-related molecular mechanisms research
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
George Washington University
2020-2025
Columbia University
2025
In Heliconius butterflies, wing colour pattern diversity and scale types are controlled by a few genes of large effect that regulate switches between morphs species across mimetic radiation. One these genes, cortex, has been repeatedly associated with evolution in butterflies. Here we carried out CRISPR knockouts multiple show cortex is major determinant cell identity. Chromatin accessibility profiling introgression scans identified cis-regulatory regions discrete phenotypic switches....
Significance Incipient species are at an intermediate stage of speciation where reproductive isolation is counteracted by the homogenizing effects gene flow. Human activity sometimes leads such to reunite, as seen in Orange Sulphur butterfly, which forms large hybridizing populations with Clouded alfalfa fields. Here we show that sex chromosomes maintain these distinct, while rest their genome admixed. Sex notably determine males display females a bright, iridescent UV signal on wings....
Evolutionary variation in the wing pigmentation of butterflies and moths offers striking examples adaptation by crypsis mimicry. The
Abstract Evolutionary variation in the wing pigmentation of butterflies and moths offers striking examples adaptation by crypsis mimicry. The cortex locus has been independently mapped as controlling colour polymorphisms 14 lepidopteran species, suggesting it acts a genomic hotspot for diversification patterns, but functional validation through protein-coding knockouts proven difficult to obtain. Our study unveils role novel long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) which we name ivory , transcribed from...
ABSTRACT Butterfly color patterns provide visible and biodiverse phenotypic readouts of the patterning processes. Although secreted ligand WntA has been shown to instruct pattern formation in butterflies, its mode reception remains elusive. genomes encode four homologs Frizzled-family Wnt receptors. Here, we show that CRISPR mosaic knockouts frizzled2 (fz2) phenocopy effects loss function multiple nymphalids. Whereas clones result intermediate reduced size, fz2 are cell-autonomous,...
The success of butterflies and moths is tightly linked to the origin scales within group. A long-standing hypothesis postulates that are homologous well-described mechanosensory bristles found in fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, as both derive from an epithelial precursor. Previous histological candidate gene approaches identified parallels genes involved scale bristle development. Here, we provide developmental transcriptomic evidence differentiation lepidopteran derives sensory organ...
Identifying the genes and mutations that drive phenotypic variation which are subject to selection is crucial for understanding evolutionary processes. Mormon Fritillary butterflies (Speyeria mormonia) exhibit a striking wing color polymorphism throughout their range: typical morphs bear silver spots on ventral surfaces can co-occur with unsilvered displaying dull coloration.1 Through genome-wide association studies in two polymorphic populations, we fine-map this difference silvering 3'...
Continuous color polymorphisms can serve as a tractable model for the genetic and developmental architecture of traits. Here we investigated continuous variation in Colias eurytheme philodice, two species sulphur butterflies that hybridize sympatry. Using quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis high-throughput quantification, found interacting large-effect loci affecting orange-to-yellow chromaticity. Knockouts red Malpighian tubules (red), likely involved endosomal maturation, result...
Abstract The success of butterflies and moths is tightly linked to the origin scales within group. A long-standing hypothesis postulates that are homologous well-described mechanosensory bristles found in fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster , where both derive from an epithelial precursor specified by lateral inhibition then undergoes multiple rounds division. Previous histological examination candidate gene approaches identified parallels genes involved scale bristle development. Here, we...
Abstract The evolution of sexual secondary characteristics necessitates regulatory factors that confer identity to differentiating tissues and cells. In Colias eurytheme butterflies, males exhibit two specialized wing scale types — UV-iridescent (UVI) lanceolate scales absent in females likely integral male courtship behavior. This study investigates the mechanisms single-nucleus transcriptomics underlying these sexually dimorphic cell during development. We show Doublesex (Dsx) expression...
Abstract Butterfly color patterns provide visible and biodiverse phenotypic readouts of the patterning processes that occur in a developing epithelium. While secreted ligand WntA was shown to instruct pattern formation butterflies, its modes reception signal transduction remain elusive. genomes encode four homologues Frizzled-family Wnt receptors. Here we show CRISPR mosaic knock-outs frizzled2 ( fz2 ) phenocopy effects loss-of-function multiple nymphalids. clones result intermediate reduced...
ABSTRACT Butterfly wings are notable for the diversity of structural colors they display, including many striking hues iridescence. Little is known, however, about how iridescent coloration genetically determined. Here we show that Iroquois -complex transcription factor araucan has a highly specific effect on wing scale iridescence hue in common buckeye butterfly, Junonia coenia . CRISPR knockouts cause dorsal scales to shift from gold blue iridescence, and eyespot focus purple colorless....
Abstract Mating cues evolve rapidly and can contribute to species formation maintenance. However, little is known about how sexual signals diverge this variation integrates with other barrier loci shape the genomic landscape of reproductive isolation. Here, we elucidate genetic basis UV iridescence, a courtship signal that differentiates males Colias eurytheme butterflies from sister species, allowing females avoid costly heterospecific matings. Anthropogenic range expansion two incipient...
Summary Identifying the genes and mutations that drive phenotypic variation which are subject to selection is crucial for understanding evolutionary processes. Mormon Fritillary butterflies ( Speyeria mormonia ) exhibit a striking wing color polymorphism throughout their range: typical morphs bear silver spots on ventral surfaces, can co-occur with unsilvered displaying dull coloration 1 . Through genome-wide association studies in two polymorphic populations, we fine-map this difference...
Abstract In Heliconius butterflies, wing pattern diversity is controlled by a few genes of large effect that regulate colour switches between morphs and species across mimetic radiation. One these genes, cortex , has been repeatedly associated with evolution in butterflies. Here we carried out CRISPR knock-outs multiple show major determinant scale cell identity. Chromatin accessibility profiling introgression scans identified cis -regulatory regions discrete phenotypic switches....
Summary Continuous colour polymorphisms can serve as a tractable model for the genetic and developmental architecture of traits, but identification causative loci is complex due to number individuals needed, challenges scoring continuously varying traits. Here we investigated continuous variation in Colias eurytheme C. philodice , two sister species sulphur butterflies that hybridise sympatry. Using Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analysis 483 from interspecific crosses an high-throughput...
Continuous colour polymorphisms can serve as a tractable model for the genetic and developmental architecture of traits, but identification causative loci is complex due to number individuals needed, challenges scoring continuously varying traits. Here we investigated continuous variation in Colias eurytheme C. philodice, two sister species sulphur butterflies that hybridise sympatry. Using Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analysis 483 from interspecific crosses an high-throughput method...