Florida Museum of Natural History
Key points
- In an article recently published in the journal Evolution & Development, Andrei Sourakov — an expert on Lepidoptera at the Florida Museum of Natural History — described the results of a seven-year laboratory study in which he altered the patterns and shape of moth wings.
- It is the first time wing shape has ever been experimentally altered in moths or butterflies and supports the idea that some of the same factors involved in early wing development and wing pattern formation can be involved in shaping the wings as well.
- The study also shows how wing patterns in this group of insects can quickly change from cryptic (camouflaged) to aposematic (conspicuous) by exploiting their ability to expand or contract the pattern elements that form their eyespots.
/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.
