Gene Resource for Bicyclus anynana Butterflies
Author Information
Author(s): Patrícia Beldade, Stephen Rudd, Jonathan D Gruber, Anthony D Long
Primary Institution: University of California at Irvine
Hypothesis
Can we identify a large number of expressed genes in Bicyclus anynana butterflies to aid in the study of their wing patterns?
Conclusion
The study generated the largest gene collection available for any butterfly, providing valuable resources for ecological, evolutionary, and developmental genetics.
Supporting Evidence
- The project identified 4,251 unique genes expressed in developing butterfly wings.
- Over 14,000 putative SNPs were identified, with 316 genes having high confidence double-hit SNPs.
- 320 microsatellites were found in transcribed genes, which can be used as genetic markers.
Takeaway
Scientists studied butterfly genes to understand how their colorful wings develop, finding many new genes that could help explain their patterns.
Methodology
The study involved constructing cDNA libraries from developing butterfly wings and sequencing expressed sequence tags (ESTs) to identify genes and genetic markers.
Limitations
The genomic resources for butterflies are still limited, and many identified genes may not have homologs in existing databases.
Participant Demographics
The butterflies were sourced from a large outbred stock maintained in the laboratory.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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