Butterfly "Eyespots" Show Secrets of Nature Patterns, Evolution

Butterflies carry distinct, colorful patterns on their wings, otherwise known as "eyespots."

As simple observers, we might not think too much of their spots. Yet for scientists, they bring up a question of evolution.  These markings, also known as "serial homologues," or repetitive patterns in nature, have served as a function throughout millions of years and across vast numbers of species.  

The spinal column, rows of teeth and groups of eyespots found on butterfly wings are all examples of serial homologues and can be tracked with similarities and changes throughout time. Yet many scientists have questioned how these patterns originally evolved.

The study notes that the eyespot formations are common to the butterfly family Nymphalidae, which serves many butterflies in dual roles of both predator avoidance and mate identification.

With such in mind, some researchers theorize that they evolved from simpler, single spots that came from a "band" of color that later separated the patterns.

"What we basically conclude is that neither of the existing theories about butterfly eyespots is correct," said Jeffrey Oliver, a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Integrative Biology of the OSU College of Science, via a press release. "The evidence suggests that a few eyespots evolved as a group at about the same time, but behaved somewhat as individual entities."

"At first, it appears the eyespots helped this group of butterflies with one of the most basic aspects of survival value, which is avoiding predators."

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.