Evolution: The art of deceptive pollination

Amy M LaFountain; Yao-Wu Yuan

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.027

Evolution: The art of deceptive pollination

Curr Biol. 2023 Apr 24;33(8):R301-R303. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.027.

Authors

Amy M LaFountain¹, Yao-Wu Yuan²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA. Electronic address: amy.lafountain@uconn.edu.
² Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.

Abstract

Beetle daisies evolved floral spots that mimic female bee flies to entice mate-seeking males for pollination. A new study shows that these deceptive spots emerged through stepwise co-option of multiple genetic elements, shedding light on the origin of complex phenotypic novelties.

Publication types

Comment

MeSH terms

Animals
Bees / genetics
Coleoptera* / genetics
Diptera*
Female
Flowers / genetics
Male
Orchidaceae*
Pollination
Reproduction

Grants and funding

R01 GM131055/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States