@article {Prakash131011, author = {Anupama Prakash and Ant{\'o}nia Monteiro}, title = {apterous A specifies dorsal wing patterns and sexual traits in butterflies}, elocation-id = {131011}, year = {2017}, doi = {10.1101/131011}, publisher = {Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory}, abstract = {Butterflies have evolved different color patterns on their dorsal and ventral wing surfaces to serve different signaling functions, yet the developmental mechanisms controlling surface-specific patterning are still unknown. Here, we mutate both copies of the transcription factor apterous in Bicyclus anynana butterflies using CRISPR/Cas9 and show that apterous A functions both as a repressor and modifier of ventral wing color patterns, as well as a promoter of dorsal sexual ornaments in males. We propose that the surface-specific diversification of wing patterns in butterflies proceeded via the co-option of apterous A into various gene regulatory networks involved in the differentiation of discrete wing traits. Further, interactions between apterous and sex-specific factors such as doublesex may have contributed to the origin of sexually dimorphic surface-specific patterns. Finally, we discuss the evolution of eyespot pattern diversity in the family Nymphalidae within the context of developmental constraints due to apterous regulation.}, URL = {https://www.biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/04/26/131011}, eprint = {https://www.biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/04/26/131011.full.pdf}, journal = {bioRxiv} }