RAMOS, DM; MONTEIRO, A; SUNY Buffalo; SUNY Buffalo: Eyespot development in Bicyclus anynana: Investigating the regulation and function of the transcription factor engrailed

Butterfly eyespots have become a popular model system for the study of evolution and development. In 2001, Brunetti et al used antibody stainings to provide strong correlational evidence for the involvement of certain developmental transcription factors, such as Engrailed, Spalt and Distal-less, in the differentiation of these color patterns. Using germ-line transformations and a light induced ectopic expression technique; we are examining the role of the engrailed coding sequence in the determination of colored scales on the wings of the butterfly, Bicyclus anynana. We are also looking at the regulation of engrailed expression, to gain a better understanding of the genetic changes that occurred to give rise to these morphological novelties.