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Yoshikazu Ohno1, Joji M Otaki2

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Spontaneous, slow calcium (Ca2+) waves in butterfly wings coordinate scale development and color patterns. These long-distance signals are crucial for pattern formation during the pupal stage.

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cellular Signaling
  • Animal Pigmentation

Background:

  • Butterfly wing color patterns arise from scale cell arrangements during the pupal stage.
  • Coordinated scale development across the wing is essential for pattern formation.
  • The precise mechanisms controlling scale cell development remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of calcium (Ca2+) waves in butterfly wing development.
  • To examine Ca2+ signaling in the pupal wings of the blue pansy butterfly (Junonia orithya).

Main Methods:

  • In vivo observation of Ca2+ waves in developing pupal wings.
  • Induction of Ca2+ waves via physical damage to simulate ectopic eyespot formation.
  • Pharmacological inhibition of Ca2+-ATPases using thapsigargin to assess Ca2+ wave function.

Main Results:

  • Developing pupal wings exhibited spontaneous, low-frequency Ca2+ waves propagating over long distances.
  • Ca2+ waves originated near developing eyespots and discal spots.
  • Physical damage induced Ca2+ waves, and thapsigargin disrupted these waves, leading to abnormal scale development and color patterns.

Conclusions:

  • A novel form of spontaneous, low-frequency, slow Ca2+ waves was identified.
  • These Ca2+ waves are critical for coordinated scale arrangement and color pattern formation in butterfly wings.