How butterflies such vibrant patterns on their wings - Earth.com

How butterflies such vibrant patterns on their wings

06-03-2018


Today’s Video of the Day comes from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and features a look at how scientists are using genomic techniques to learn more about how butterflies develop such vibrant patterns on their wings.

Developmental biologist Arnaud Martin and his team of researchers at George Washington University are using cutting-edge tools like CRISPR to examine how genes dictate wing patterns.

“The wing patterns are used in nature for camouflage, avoiding predators, indicating toxicity and to find mates,” said Martin. “So, we know why they are all so diverse, but now the question, I would say, is to understand how it happens, how do you create such an explosive diversity during deep evolutionary time.”

By Rory Arnold, Earth.com Staff Writer

Video Credit: National Science Foundation

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