Giving eyespots a shiner: Pharmacologic manipulation of the Io moth wing pattern.

Andrei Sourakov

doi:10.12688/f1000research.12258.2

Andrei Sourakov

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.12258.2

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Abstract

Our knowledge of wing pattern formation in Lepidoptera has advanced significantly in recent years due to the careful examination of several groups of butterflies. The eyespot is a prominent feature of Lepidoptera wing pattern, especially in the family Saturniidae. The present study examined how sulfated polysaccharides affected the wing pattern formation of the Io moth, Automeris io (Saturniidae). Prepupae and pupae of this species were subjected to injections of heparin and cold shock. While the cold shock had little to no effect on wing pattern, the aberrations resulting from heparin injections were moderate to profound and depended on the dose and the stage at which injection was made. The changes consisted of expansion of the black ring around the dorsal hindwing eyespots and distortion of discal spots on both dorsal and ventral sides of forewings, suggesting a possible link between genetic controls of these elements. Several different types of scales form the normal color pattern of Automeris io, and heparin-induced changes correspond to changes in shape of scales. The resulting aberrations are dubbed 'Black Eye' and 'Comet Eye.' Other known aberrations of Automeris io eyespots are summarized, illustrated, and named.

Highlights

IntroductionWhile our understanding of the mechanisms involved in butterfly wing pattern development has been increasing exponentially in the recent two decades, the work has been largely limited to butterflies such as Junonia, Heliconius, Papilio and Bicyclus
I discussed the observed results in light of current knowledge about the effect of heparin on gene function
As a result of the above changes, the number of figures has doubled, including figures submitted as supplementary material, showing time-lapse photos of pupal development and microscopic study of wing scales involved in the formation of the eyespots

Summary

Introduction

While our understanding of the mechanisms involved in butterfly wing pattern development has been increasing exponentially in the recent two decades, the work has been largely limited to butterflies such as Junonia, Heliconius, Papilio and Bicyclus. Thanks to these ‘model’ genera, we understand homologies among wing pattern elements and the adaptive radiation that led to the kaleidoscope of intriguing ‘designs’ found among ca. Martin & Reed (2014) utilized heparin injections to understand genetic controls and homologies among separate wing pattern elements In addition to many naturally occurring melanic aberrations and some melanic recessive phenotypes that can be obtained and/or maintained through inbreeding, the dark markings of Lepidoptera wings can sometimes be amplified by the timely application of a colder regime to the immature stages (e.g., Sourakov, 2015 and references within). Serfas & Carroll (2005) first demonstrated that injections of heparin into the early pupal stage can simulate cold shock and alter wing patterns in similar ways. Martin & Reed (2014) utilized heparin injections to understand genetic controls and homologies among separate wing pattern elements

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