Evolution reuses ivory and optix genes in 120 million years of mimicry

8 articles · Updated · BIOENGINEER.ORG · Apr 30

Scientists at the University of York and Wellcome Sanger Institute examined seven butterfly and moth species from South American rainforests and found the same genetic blueprint behind shared warning wing patterns.
The PLOS Biology study says mimicry is driven mainly by changes in gene-regulating switches, not coding sequences, and found a moth DNA inversion resembling one seen in a butterfly species.
Researchers say the findings suggest evolution is more predictable and constrained than often assumed, with implications for understanding adaptation, predator-driven warning signals and how species may respond to environmental change.

Nature has reused the same genes since the dinosaurs. Does this mean evolution is not random, but follows predictable, near-universal rules?

If evolution follows a predictable genetic blueprint, can we forecast life's future and safely guide the evolution of artificial intelligence?