Adaptive introgression of a visual preference gene. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38513020/)

These scientists wanted to understand how butterflies choose their mates based on the colors and patterns they see. They studied two types of Heliconius butterflies that have bright warning patterns. These patterns are important for attracting mates.

The scientists used a combination of different methods to study the butterflies. They looked at the behavior of the butterflies, studied their genes at the population level, and analyzed how certain genes are expressed in the butterflies' brains.

What they found was really interesting! The two butterfly species had evolved to prefer the color red in their patterns by sharing genetic material through a process called hybridization. They discovered a specific gene called regucalcin1 that is linked to the butterflies' visual preferences. When they used a gene-editing tool called CRISPR-Cas9 to disrupt this gene, the butterflies had trouble courting other butterflies.

This study showed that the butterflies' behaviors are influenced by their genes, and that sharing genetic material through hybridization can play a role in how behaviors evolve. It also helps us understand how certain behaviors and traits are passed down in the genome, which is like a set of instructions that determines how living things look and behave.

Rossi M., Hausmann AE., Alcami P., Moest M., Roussou R., Van Belleghem SM., Wright DS., Kuo CY., Lozano-Urrego D., Maulana A., Melo-Florez L., Rueda-Munoz G., McMahon S., Linares M., Osman C., McMillan WO., Pardo-Diaz C., Salazar C., Merrill RM. Adaptive introgression of a visual preference gene. Science. 2024 Mar 22;383(6689):1368-1373. doi: 10.1126/science.adj9201. Epub 2024 Mar 21.