The Fractal Geometry of the Nymphalid Groundplan: Self-Similar Configuration of Color Pattern Symmetry Systems in Butterfly Wings
The nymphalid groundplan is an archetypical color pattern of nymphalid butterflies involving three major symmetry systems and a discal symmetry system, which share the basic morphogenesis unit. Here, the morphological and spatial relationships among these symmetry systems were studied based on cross...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-01-01
|
| Series: | Insects |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/12/1/39 |
| _version_ | 1827604272893657088 |
|---|---|
| author | Joji M. Otaki |
| author_facet | Joji M. Otaki |
| author_sort | Joji M. Otaki |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The nymphalid groundplan is an archetypical color pattern of nymphalid butterflies involving three major symmetry systems and a discal symmetry system, which share the basic morphogenesis unit. Here, the morphological and spatial relationships among these symmetry systems were studied based on cross-species comparisons of nymphalid hindwings. Based on findings in <i>Neope</i> and <i>Symbrenthia</i>, all three major symmetry systems can be expressed as bands, spots, or eyespot-like structures, suggesting equivalence (homology) of these systems in developmental potential. The discal symmetry system can also be expressed as various structures. The discal symmetry system is circularly surrounded by the central symmetry system, which may then be surrounded by the border and basal symmetry systems, based mainly on findings in <i>Agrias</i>, indicating a unified supersymmetry system covering the entire wing. The border symmetry system can occupy the central part of the wing when the central symmetry system is compromised, as seen in <i>Callicore</i>. These results suggest that butterfly color patterns are hierarchically constructed in a self-similar fashion, as the fractal geometry of the nymphalid groundplan. This self-similarity is likely mediated by the serial induction of organizers, and symmetry breaking of the system morphology may be generated by the collision of opposing signals during development. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:57:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d807d758a9d949e3b3ba145121d91b6d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:57:39Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj.art-d807d758a9d949e3b3ba145121d91b6d2023-12-03T12:12:55ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502021-01-011213910.3390/insects12010039The Fractal Geometry of the Nymphalid Groundplan: Self-Similar Configuration of Color Pattern Symmetry Systems in Butterfly WingsJoji M. Otaki0The BCPH Unit of Molecular Physiology, Department of Chemistry, Biology and Marine Science, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, JapanThe nymphalid groundplan is an archetypical color pattern of nymphalid butterflies involving three major symmetry systems and a discal symmetry system, which share the basic morphogenesis unit. Here, the morphological and spatial relationships among these symmetry systems were studied based on cross-species comparisons of nymphalid hindwings. Based on findings in <i>Neope</i> and <i>Symbrenthia</i>, all three major symmetry systems can be expressed as bands, spots, or eyespot-like structures, suggesting equivalence (homology) of these systems in developmental potential. The discal symmetry system can also be expressed as various structures. The discal symmetry system is circularly surrounded by the central symmetry system, which may then be surrounded by the border and basal symmetry systems, based mainly on findings in <i>Agrias</i>, indicating a unified supersymmetry system covering the entire wing. The border symmetry system can occupy the central part of the wing when the central symmetry system is compromised, as seen in <i>Callicore</i>. These results suggest that butterfly color patterns are hierarchically constructed in a self-similar fashion, as the fractal geometry of the nymphalid groundplan. This self-similarity is likely mediated by the serial induction of organizers, and symmetry breaking of the system morphology may be generated by the collision of opposing signals during development.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/12/1/39butterfly wingcolor patterncolor pattern elementfractalLepidopteranymphalid groundplan |
| spellingShingle | Joji M. Otaki The Fractal Geometry of the Nymphalid Groundplan: Self-Similar Configuration of Color Pattern Symmetry Systems in Butterfly Wings Insects butterfly wing color pattern color pattern element fractal Lepidoptera nymphalid groundplan |
| title | The Fractal Geometry of the Nymphalid Groundplan: Self-Similar Configuration of Color Pattern Symmetry Systems in Butterfly Wings |
| title_full | The Fractal Geometry of the Nymphalid Groundplan: Self-Similar Configuration of Color Pattern Symmetry Systems in Butterfly Wings |
| title_fullStr | The Fractal Geometry of the Nymphalid Groundplan: Self-Similar Configuration of Color Pattern Symmetry Systems in Butterfly Wings |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Fractal Geometry of the Nymphalid Groundplan: Self-Similar Configuration of Color Pattern Symmetry Systems in Butterfly Wings |
| title_short | The Fractal Geometry of the Nymphalid Groundplan: Self-Similar Configuration of Color Pattern Symmetry Systems in Butterfly Wings |
| title_sort | fractal geometry of the nymphalid groundplan self similar configuration of color pattern symmetry systems in butterfly wings |
| topic | butterfly wing color pattern color pattern element fractal Lepidoptera nymphalid groundplan |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/12/1/39 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jojimotaki thefractalgeometryofthenymphalidgroundplanselfsimilarconfigurationofcolorpatternsymmetrysystemsinbutterflywings AT jojimotaki fractalgeometryofthenymphalidgroundplanselfsimilarconfigurationofcolorpatternsymmetrysystemsinbutterflywings |