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Apterous A specifies dorsal wing patterns and sexual traits in butterflies.


ABSTRACT: Butterflies have evolved different colour patterns on their dorsal and ventral wing surfaces to serve different signalling functions, yet the developmental mechanisms controlling surface-specific patterning are still unknown. Here, we mutate both copies of the transcription factor apterous in Bicyclus anynana butterflies using CRISPR/Cas9 and show that apterous A, expressed dorsally, functions both as a repressor and modifier of ventral wing colour patterns, as well as a promoter of dorsal sexual ornaments in males. We propose that the surface-specific diversification of wing patterns in butterflies proceeded via the co-option of apterous A or its downstream effectors into various gene regulatory networks involved in the differentiation of discrete wing traits. Further, interactions between apterous and sex-specific factors such as doublesex may have contributed to the origin of sexually dimorphic surface-specific patterns. Finally, we discuss the evolution of eyespot number diversity in the family Nymphalidae within the context of developmental constraints due to apterous regulation.

SUBMITTER: Prakash A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5832707 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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<i>apterous A</i> specifies dorsal wing patterns and sexual traits in butterflies.

Prakash Anupama A   Monteiro Antónia A  

Proceedings. Biological sciences 20180201 1873


Butterflies have evolved different colour patterns on their dorsal and ventral wing surfaces to serve different signalling functions, yet the developmental mechanisms controlling surface-specific patterning are still unknown. Here, we mutate both copies of the transcription factor <i>apterous</i> in <i>Bicyclus anynana</i> butterflies using CRISPR/Cas9 and show that <i>apterous A,</i> expressed dorsally, functions both as a repressor and modifier of ventral wing colour patterns, as well as a pro  ...[more]

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