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New genomes clarify mimicry evolution

Nature Genetics volume 47, pages 306–307 (2015)Cite this article

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For over 100 years, it has been known that polymorphic mimicry is often switched by simple mendelian factors, yet the physical nature of these loci had escaped characterization. Now, the genome sequences of two swallowtail butterfly (Papilio) species have enabled the precise identification of a locus underlying mimicry, adding to unprecedented recent discoveries in mimicry genetics.

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Figure 1: Mimetic and non-mimetic P. polytes and the noxious model for the mimetic form.

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  1. James Mallet is in the Department of Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,

    James Mallet

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  1. James Mallet
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Correspondence to James Mallet.

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Mallet, J. New genomes clarify mimicry evolution. Nat Genet 47, 306–307 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/ng.3260

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