Neighboring genes shaping a single adaptive mimetic trait. Issue 1 (6th January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pardo‐Diaz, Carolina; Jiggins, Chris D.
• Is Part Of: Evolution & development. Volume 16:Issue 1(2014)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 12
• Publication Date: 2014-01-06
• Subjects: Evolution (Biology) -- Periodicals; Developmental biology -- Periodicals; 576.82
• DOI: 10.1111/ede.12058
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1520-541X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>SUMMARY</title> <sec id="ede12058-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <p>The colorful wing patterns of <italic>Heliconius</italic> butterflies represent an excellent system in which to study the genetic and developmental control of adaptation and convergence. Using qRT‐PCR and in situ hybridization on developing wings of the co‐mimic species <italic>Heliconius melpomene</italic> and <italic>Heliconius erato</italic>, we have profiled the expression of three candidate genes located in the genomic locus controlling red color pattern variation. We found convergent domains of gene expression in <italic>H. melpomene</italic> and <italic>H. erato</italic> associated with red wing elements in the two genes <italic>optix</italic> and <italic>kinesin</italic>. During early pupal development of both species, the expression of <italic>optix</italic> perfectly associated with all red pattern elements whereas that of <italic>kinesin</italic> was specifically correlated with the presence of the red forewing band. These results provide evidence for the use of these two tightly linked patterning genes, acting together to create convergent wing phenotypes in <italic>Heliconius</italic> and constituting a hotspot of adaptation.</p> </sec> </abstract>