The
color
pattern
of
insects
is
one
the
most
diverse
adaptive
evolutionary
phenotypes.
However,
molecular
regulation
this
not
fully
understood.
In
study,
we
found
that
transcription
factor
Bm-mamo
responsible
for
black
dilute
(bd)
allele
mutations
in
silkworm.
belongs
to
BTB
zinc
finger
family
and
orthologous
mamo
Drosophila
melanogaster.
This
gene
has
a
conserved
function
gamete
production
silkworms
evolved
pleiotropic
patterns
caterpillars.
Using
RNAi
clustered
regularly
interspaced
short
palindromic
repeats
(CRISPR)
technology,
showed
repressor
dark
melanin
larval
epidermis.
vitro
binding
assays
expression
profiling
wild-type
mutant
larvae,
also
likely
regulates
related
pigment
synthesis
cuticular
protein
genes
coordinated
manner
mediate
its
role
formation.
mechanism
consistent
with
dual
regulating
both
structure
shape
cuticle
pigments
are
embedded
within
it.
study
provides
new
insight
into
as
well
construction
more
complex
epidermal
features
some
insects.
Photonics Insights,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
3(2), С. R03 - R03
Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2024
Structural
coloration
generates
colors
by
the
interaction
between
incident
light
and
micro-
or
nano-scale
structures.
It
has
received
tremendous
interest
for
decades,
due
to
advantages
including
robustness
against
bleaching
environmentally
friendly
properties
(compared
with
conventional
pigments
dyes).
As
a
versatile
strategy,
tuning
of
structural
based
on
nanoscale
photonic
structures
been
extensively
explored
can
enable
broad
range
applications
displays,
anti-counterfeiting,
coating.
However,
scholarly
research
had
limited
impact
commercial
products
because
their
disadvantages
in
cost,
scalability,
fabrication.
In
this
review,
we
analyze
key
challenges
opportunities
development
colors.
We
first
summarize
fundamental
mechanisms
design
strategies
while
reviewing
recent
progress
realizing
dynamic
coloration.
The
promising
potential
optical
information
processing
displays
are
also
discussed
elucidating
most
prominent
that
prevent
them
from
translating
into
technologies
market.
Finally,
address
new
underexplored
community
but
be
achieved
through
multidisciplinary
within
emerging
areas.
The
color
pattern
of
insects
is
one
the
most
diverse
adaptive
evolutionary
phenotypes.
However,
molecular
regulation
this
not
fully
understood.
In
study,
we
found
that
transcription
factor
Bm-mamo
responsible
for
black
dilute
(
bd
)
allele
mutations
in
silkworm.
belongs
to
BTB
zinc
finger
family
and
orthologous
mamo
Drosophila
melanogaster
.
This
gene
has
a
conserved
function
gamete
production
silkworms
evolved
pleiotropic
patterns
caterpillars.
Using
RNAi
clustered
regularly
interspaced
short
palindromic
repeats
(CRISPR)
technology,
showed
repressor
dark
melanin
larval
epidermis.
vitro
binding
assays
expression
profiling
wild-type
mutant
larvae,
also
likely
regulates
related
pigment
synthesis
cuticular
protein
genes
coordinated
manner
mediate
its
role
formation.
mechanism
consistent
with
dual
regulating
both
structure
shape
cuticle
pigments
are
embedded
within
it.
study
provides
new
insight
into
as
well
construction
more
complex
epidermal
features
some
insects.
Journal of The Royal Society Interface,
Год журнала:
2023,
Номер
20(202)
Опубликована: Май 1, 2023
Optical
transparency
is
rare
in
terrestrial
organisms,
and
often
originates
through
loss
of
pigmentation
reduction
scattering.
The
coloured
wings
some
butterflies
moths
have
repeatedly
evolved
transparency,
offering
examples
how
they
function
optically
biologically.
Because
pigments
are
primarily
localized
the
scales
that
cover
a
colourless
wing
membrane,
has
complete
or
radical
modification
their
shape.
Whereas
bristle-like
been
well
documented
glasswing
butterflies,
other
scale
modifications
resulting
remain
understudied.
butterfly
Phanus
vitreus
achieves
while
retaining
its
exhibiting
blue/cyan
transparent
zones.
Here,
we
investigate
mechanism
P.
by
light
microscopy,
focused
ion
beam
milling,
microspectrophotometry
optical
modelling.
We
show
achieved
via
vertical
orientation
normal
paddle-like
scales.
These
alterations
combined
with
an
anti-reflective
nipple
array
on
portions
membrane
being
more
exposed
to
light.
blueish
coloration
regions
due
properties
local
nanostructures.
retention
patches
might
be
explained
these
perpendicular
having
hydrophobic
properties.
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
12
Опубликована: Май 1, 2024
Previous
studies
have
shown
that
Optix
regulates
lower
lamina
thickness
and
the
type
of
pigment
is
produced
in
wing
scales
a
few
butterfly
species.
However,
role
regulating
production
across
species,
additional
aspects
scale
morphology
remains
to
be
investigated.
By
combining
microspectrophotometry,
scanning
electron
microscopy,
focused
ion
beam
technology
on
wild-type
Bicyclus
anynana
crispants,
we
show
orange
pigments
(ommochromes),
represses
brown
(melanins),
upper
surface
scales.
Our
findings
suggest
conserved
as
switch
gene
activates
ommochrome
melanin
synthesis
butterflies.
comparing
these
effects
with
other
mutations,
where
only
removed
from
scales,
propose
pigmentary
changes,
alone,
affect
way
chitin
polymerizes
within
scale,
changing
well
multiple
intricate
structures
surface.
Functional Ecology,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
unknown
Опубликована: Март 6, 2025
Abstract
Animals
use
colour
for
a
wide
range
of
adaptive
functions,
ranging
from
cryptic
colours
that
blend
into
their
environments
to
bright,
conspicuous
signals
convey
information,
either
attract
mates
or
ward
off
predators
and
rivals.
However,
perhaps
one
the
most
intriguing
adaptations
is
how
animals
can
make
absence
through
transparency.
Animal
transparency
has
long
been
understood
as
form
camouflage,
allowing
see
straight
prey
if
it
were
not
there.
take
many
different
forms,
both
in
terms
degree
transparency,
opaque
translucent
transparent
extent
coverage,
with
combinations
regions.
Despite
this
variation,
often
regarded
unique
concealment
synonymised
background‐matching
camouflage.
Yet,
empirical
evidence
increasingly
demonstrating
forms
may
facilitate
defensive
communicative
strategies.
Here,
we
contextualise
potential
functions
wider
framework
visual
ecology,
review
strategies
highlight
areas
need
continued
research.
We
find
that,
despite
its
seemingly
intuitive
role
fulfil
including
facilitating
several
conceptually
distinct
camouflage
(e.g.
background
matching,
disruption,
masquerade
edge
diffusion),
mimicry
(both
Batesian
Müllerian)
enhancing
(such
aposematism,
mate
choice
territory
defence).
ecological
behavioural
questions
remain
be
addressed,
caution
needed
when
assessing
interpreting
function
Read
free
Plain
Language
Summary
article
on
Journal
blog.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
unknown
Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2024
ABSTRACT
The
brightest
and
most
vivid
colors
of
butterflies
usually
originate
from
light
reflecting
off
the
cuticular
scales
that
cover
wing
membrane.
These
have
an
intricate
architecture
consists
upper
layer,
a
grid
longitudinal
ridges
transverse
crossribs,
connected
to
lower
lamina
by
pillars
called
trabeculae.
Whereas
role
as
reflector
has
been
well
documented
in
simpler
scales,
this
study
unveils
scales’
surface
generating
or
fine-tuning
hue,
brightness,
saturation.
In
nymphalid
Bicyclus
anynana
,
we
showed
changes
ridge
trabecula
heights
accompanied
hue
produced
via
artificial
selection.
We
further
found
correlation
between
height
can
be
generalized
40
scale
types
35
species
across
butterfly
families.
By
combining
focused
ion
beam
milling,
microspectrophotometry,
optical
modelling,
modifying
is
sufficient
change
notably
Morpho
didius
whose
blue
color
was
thought
generated
exclusively
lamella
protruding
ridges,
rather
than
height.
This
identifies
scale’s
toolbox
for
structural
diversity
proposes
geometrical
model
predict
unifies
with
without
-type
Christmas-tree
ridges.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Год журнала:
2023,
Номер
unknown
Опубликована: Апрель 7, 2023
Abstract
The
color
pattern
of
insects
is
one
the
most
diverse
adaptive
evolutionary
phenotypes.
However,
molecular
regulation
this
not
fully
understood.
In
study,
we
found
that
transcription
factor
Bm-mamo
responsible
for
black
dilute
(
bd
)
allele
mutations
in
silkworm.
belongs
to
BTB
zinc
finger
family
and
orthologous
mamo
Drosophila
melanogaster
.
This
gene
has
a
conserved
function
gamete
production
silkworms
evolved
pleiotropic
patterns
caterpillars.
Using
RNAi
clustered
regularly
interspaced
short
palindromic
repeats
(CRISPR)
technology,
showed
repressor
or
dark
melanin
larval
epidermis.
vitro
binding
assays
expression
profiling
wild-type
mutant
larvae,
also
likely
regulates
related
pigment
synthesis
cuticular
protein
genes
coordinated
manner
mediate
its
role
formation.
mechanism
consistent
with
dual
regulating
both
structure
shape
cuticle
pigments
are
embedded
within
it.
study
provides
new
insight
into
as
well
construction
more
complex
epidermis
features
some
insects.
