Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 26, 2025

In Vivo Modeling of the Morbid Human Genome using Danio rerio
Published on: August 24, 2013
Batesian mimicry has evolved with deleterious effects of the pleiotropic gene doublesex
Shinya Komata1, Tasuku Kitamura1, Haruhiko Fujiwara2
1Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan.
Abstract:
Dimorphic female-limited Batesian mimicry in the swallowtail butterfly Papilio polytes is regulated by the supergene locus H, harbouring the mimetic (H) and non-mimetic (h) doublesex (dsx) gene. In the present study, we demonstrated that dsx-H negatively affects the number of eggs laid, hatching rate, larval survival rate, and adult lifespan. When crossed with hh males, the number of eggs laid of mimetic females (genotype HH) was lower than that of non-mimetic females (hh). Moreover, hh and Hh females laid fewer eggs when crossed with HH males. The hatching and larval survival rates were lower when both female and male parents harboured dsx-H. The adult lifespan of HH females was shorter than that of hh females, while it was similar in males regardless of the genotype. These findings suggest the presence of a cost-benefit balance of Batesian mimicry, which is evolved to avoid predation but is accompanied by physiological deficits, in this species.
Related Concept Videos
The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female...
Dosage Compensation
In addition to sexual development, the X chromosome has genes involved in autosomal functions such as brain development and the immune system. Therefore, males and females with distinct numbers of X chromosomes will...
Lethal Alleles
Lucien Cuénot discovered lethal alleles in 1905 while studying the inheritance of coat color in mice. The agouti gene is responsible for the color of the coat in mice. This gene codes for an agouti-signaling protein, which is responsible for melanin distribution in mammals. The wild-type allele gives rise to gray-brown coat color in mice, while the mutant allele gives rise to yellow coat color. In addition to coat color, the agouti gene is associated with the yellow...
Frequency-dependent Selection
Background and Environment Affect 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...
Multiple Allele Traits

