Shuffling Switches

Every species on earth has been shaped by evolution, with genetic changes adding up over time to create an incredible diversity of life. But how does it happen? Using the example of the vibrant wing patterns on these relatively distantly related species of Heliconius butterflies, which live in the Amazon, scientists have found that rather than changes in genes leading to differences between species, alterations in the ‘control switches’ that turn a gene called optix on at the right time and in the right place can create a multitude of forms. Optix controls the red colouration in a butterfly’s wings, and small changes in its activity can make a big difference to an insect’s wing pattern. And it’s not just butterflies where this is important. Shuffling switches has contributed to our own evolution and mistakes in them can lead to genetic problems ranging from birth defects to diseases including cancer.

Today is the Association for Butterflies annual Butterfly Education and Awareness Day (BEAD)

Written by Kat Arney

Kat Arney

Writer

Dr Kat Arney is an award-winning science writer, broadcaster and public speaker, and is the founder and Creative Director of First Create The Media.

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• Image from work by Richard W. R. Wallbank and Simon W. Baxter, and colleagues
• Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, UK
• Image originally published under a Creative Commons Licence (BY 4.0)
• Published in PLOS Biology, January 2016