Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Frequency-dependent Selection

Frequency-dependent Selection

When the fitness of a trait is influenced by how common it is (i.e., its frequency) relative to different traits within a population, this is referred to as frequency-dependent selection. Frequency-dependent selection may occur between species or within a single species. This type of selection can either be positive—with more common phenotypes having higher fitness—or negative, with rarer phenotypes conferring increased fitness.Positive Frequency-Dependent SelectionIn positive...

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...

Position-effect Variegation

Position-effect Variegation

In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.

Mate Choice

Mate Choice

Mate choice—the decision about whom to mate with—is a type of natural selection, since animals must reproduce to pass down their genes. Mate choice is also called intersexual selection because the behavior occurs between the sexes.

Predator-Prey Interactions

Predator-Prey Interactions

Predators consume prey for energy. Predators that acquire prey and prey that avoid predation both increase their chances of survival and reproduction (i.e., fitness). Routine predator-prey interactions elicit mutual adaptations that improve predator offenses, such as claws, teeth, and speed, as well as prey defenses, including crypsis, aposematism, and mimicry. Thus, predator-prey interactions resemble an evolutionary arms race.Although predation is commonly associated with carnivory, for...

Limits to Natural Selection

Limits to Natural Selection

Organisms that are well-adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. However, natural selection does not lead to perfectly adapted organisms. Several factors constrain natural selection.For one, natural selection can only act upon existing genetic variation. Hypothetically, redtusks may enhance elephant survival by deterring ivory-seeking poachers. However, if there are no gene variants—or alleles—for redtusks, natural selection cannot increase the prevalence of...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Dynamic Physical Distortions of Butterfly Pupal Wings: Potential Mechanical Signals from Eyespot Organizers for Color Pattern Determination.

Biology·2026

Same author

Pharmacological Effects of NADPH Oxidase Inhibitors on Butterfly Wing Morphogenesis and Color Pattern Formation in <i>Junonia orithya</i>.

Insects·2026

Same author

TRPA1 for Butterfly Eyespot Formation.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026

Same author

Wound Healing in Butterfly Pupal Wing Tissues: Real-Time In Vivo Imaging of Long-Range Cell Migration, Cluster Formation, and Calcium Oscillations.

Insects·2025

Same author

Peptide Inhibitor Assay for Allocating Functionally Important Accessible Sites Throughout a Protein Chain: Restriction Endonuclease EcoRI as a Model Protein System.

Biotech (Basel (Switzerland))·2025

Same author

Butterfly pupal wing tissue with an eyespot organizer.

Cells & development·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Manipulation of Color Patterns in Jumping Spiders for Use in Behavioral Experiments

Manipulation of Color Patterns in Jumping Spiders for Use in Behavioral Experiments

Published on: May 21, 2019

Physiologically induced color-pattern changes in butterfly wings: mechanistic and evolutionary implications.

¹The BCPH Unit of Molecular Physiology, Laboratory of Cell and Functional Biology, Department of Chemistry, Biology and Marine Science, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan. otaki@sci.u-ryukyu.ac.jp

Journal of Insect Physiology

|July 22, 2008

Summary

Physiologically induced changes in butterfly wing patterns reveal dynamic morphogenic signals. These findings revise gradient models of color-pattern determination in nymphalid butterflies.

More Related Videos

In situ Protocol for Butterfly Pupal Wings Using Riboprobes

In situ Protocol for Butterfly Pupal Wings Using Riboprobes

Published on: May 28, 2007

Methods for Staging Pupal Periods and Measurement of Wing Pigmentation of Drosophila guttifera

Methods for Staging Pupal Periods and Measurement of Wing Pigmentation of Drosophila guttifera

Published on: January 24, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Manipulation of Color Patterns in Jumping Spiders for Use in Behavioral Experiments

Manipulation of Color Patterns in Jumping Spiders for Use in Behavioral Experiments

Published on: May 21, 2019

In situ Protocol for Butterfly Pupal Wings Using Riboprobes

In situ Protocol for Butterfly Pupal Wings Using Riboprobes

Published on: May 28, 2007

Methods for Staging Pupal Periods and Measurement of Wing Pigmentation of Drosophila guttifera

Methods for Staging Pupal Periods and Measurement of Wing Pigmentation of Drosophila guttifera

Published on: January 24, 2018

Area of Science:

Developmental Biology
Evolutionary Biology
Insect Morphology

Background:

Understanding butterfly wing color-pattern determination is crucial for developmental and evolutionary studies.
Nymphalid butterflies exhibit complex wing patterns influenced by genetic and physiological factors.

Purpose of the Study:

To review physiologically induced color-pattern changes in nymphalid butterflies.
To explore the mechanistic and evolutionary implications of these pattern alterations.
To revise conventional models of pattern determination.

Main Methods:

Review of experimental studies on physiologically induced color-pattern changes.
Analysis of pattern element dislocations and transformations in nymphalid wings.
Examination of potential signaling mechanisms and gradient models.

Main Results:

Color-pattern changes can be elicited by altering the size and position of pattern elements, consistent with the nymphalid groundplan.
Pattern elements exhibit bi-directional and bi-sided dislocations relative to eyespot foci.
Modifications suggest an anterior-posterior gradient and reveal dynamic morphogenic signaling, possibly due to heterochronic uncoupling.

Conclusions:

Physiologically induced pattern changes offer insights into the dynamic nature of butterfly wing development.
Observed modifications challenge and necessitate revisions to conventional gradient models of pattern determination.
These findings contribute to a deeper mechanistic and evolutionary understanding of nymphalid wing coloration.