Role of the Hox gene Ultrabithorax in hindwing patterning in Lepidoptera
by: Amruta Tendolkar (May 2021)
Ultrabithorax (Ubx) is required for third thoracic segment (T3) identity in insects. To study its role in hindwing patterning in butterflies and moths, we knocked-out the gene in embryos and observed the effects in adults. In mutant adults, we observed T3 to T2 identity shifts in color, wing-coupling scales, androconia, pattern arrangements, eyespot size and wing structure, showing Ubx involvement in several hindwing gene regulatory networks. Controlling several aspects of wing morphology, Ubx is the boss that meddles in every task. Click here to see the summary for our recently published paper! |
Cytoskeletal elements in modulating the wing scale ultrastructure
by: Ling Sheng Loh (May 2021)
Did you know that colors on butterfly wings are like colors on a computer screen? Like graphic pixels, butterfly wings are made up of single-colored scales, each developing from a cell. These scales are embedded in the wing sockets and comprise 2 flat sheets of chitin. Each scale elongates from the cytoplasm by the help of structural support by actin filaments. In this video, the F-actin is labeled green and appears to outline the wing scales, highlighting the roles of cytoskeletal elements in contributing to the final structural and pigmentary colors of the wing. |
A cross section of Phalloidin-stained actin filaments in the wing scales of a male Colias eurytheme around 50% development. Starting from the base of the scale, F-actin bundles are stained in parallel arrays along the entire scale.
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