Many butterflies use mimicry: they look like toxic or distasteful species so predators do not eat them. Researchers studied a swallowtail butterfly that has two wing forms. In this species only females sometimes develop a mimetic wing pattern with orange spots on white patches.
The team found that one gene called doublesex works as a switch to change female wing patterns. They used genomic sequencing and CRISPR experiments to test how the gene controls mimicry. The study helps explain how a single genetic change can make big differences in appearance.
Difficult words
- mimicry — When an animal looks like another species
- predator — An animal that hunts and eats otherspredators
- mimetic — A pattern that makes an animal look like others
- genomic sequencing — Reading the order of DNA in an organism
- experiment — A scientific test to learn how something worksexperiments
- appearance — How something or someone looks to others
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why might looking like a toxic species help a butterfly?
- Do you think a single gene can change how an animal looks? Why or why not?
- Have you seen an animal that copies another species? Describe it briefly.
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