…a new study in Scientific Reports has identified the genetic code by which butterflies can assign color patterns to different parts of their wings during development. The code is based on a set of genes called transcription factors that establish compartments in most—perhaps all—insect wings. Each compartment, whose “address” is determined by the combination of genes that are active in that sector of the wing, can evolve different color patterns independently from the other compartments.
Photographer Unknown
