Evolutionary Insights

Visualizing gene expression can also give important insights into evolution. Watch this animation of a pigmentation gene in action:

Animation: The “Paintbrush” Gene

Dr. Sean Carroll

One difference between these two species is the presence of a wing spot in Drosophila biarmipes.

This picture of the expression of the yellow gene (indicated in white) shows activity at the precise location of the wing spot.

Evolution has altered gene expression to create this pattern.

Dark-colored wings from two species of drosophila. The bottom wing has a white area in the upper tip, the top wing does not.
Drosophila melanogaster top; Drosophila biarmipes bottom