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Cautery-induced colour patterns in Precis coenia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)
Journal of Embryology and Experimental Morphology
|April 1, 1985
Summary
Butterfly wing patterns, like eyespots in Precis coenia, can be induced by injury. These findings suggest localized damage acts as a morphogen sink, influencing color pattern determination.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Entomology
- Pattern formation
Background:
- Butterfly wing coloration and pattern development are complex processes.
- Previous research has explored pattern induction and aberration in insects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of cautery and cold shock on butterfly wing patterns.
- To reconcile findings in Precis coenia with existing models of pattern determination.
Main Methods:
- Surgical cautery applied to Precis coenia wings.
- Induction of cold shock on Precis coenia wings.
- Comparative analysis with Ephestia kühniella data.
- Computer simulations of morphogen dynamics.
Main Results:
- Cautery on Precis coenia dorsal hindwing induced concentric color patterns resembling eyespots.
- Cold shock caused aberrations in eyespot morphology.
- Simulations supported the hypothesis of cautery sites acting as morphogen sinks.
- Minor epidermal perturbations can mimic normal eyespot determination conditions.
Conclusions:
- The morphogen sink hypothesis explains pattern induction by cautery in Precis coenia and Ephestia kühniella.
- Wing pattern determination is sensitive to minor physiological perturbations.
- This model also accounts for cold shock-induced pattern modifications.