The Genetic Switch Behind the Butterfly's Enhanced Visual World of Color

UC San Diego biologists identified the genetic switch that gave butterflies an extra light-detecting cell in their eyes, expanding their colour vision beyond imagination

A butterfly's world is not simply brighter or more colourful than ours.

The genetic switch behind the butterfly's enhanced visual world of color

Many insects see the world through hundreds of tiny lenses that are grouped together in a visual organ known as the compound eye. Behind each lens sits a cluster of eight light-detecting cells arranged in a pattern that scientists believe has existed for hundreds of millions of years.

The Story Behind the Butterfly’s Enhanced Visual World of Color

Many insects see the world through hundreds of tiny lenses that are grouped together in a visual organ known as the compound eye. Behind each lens sits a cluster of eight light-detecting cells arranged in a pattern that scientists believe has existed for hundreds of millions of years.

Genetic Switch That Gave Butterflies Extra Color Vision Revealed

UC San Diego biologists have identified the genetic switch that added a ninth photoreceptor to butterfly eyes, revealing how the brain's spare neurons enabled an immediate leap in color vision.