Joseph J. Hanly

Hyperdivergent haplotypes control melanic camouflage in a polymorphic moth

This study identifies the ivory:mir-193 locus as a major determinant of melanic color variation in Anticarsia gemmatalis moths, showing that divergent haplotypes and regulatory elements control dark morph pigmentation.

The gene ivory:mir-193 controls scale type differentiation in Heliconius butterflies

The paper identifies ivory:mir-193 as a master regulator of scale type differentiation in Heliconius butterflies, showing it converts Type II scales to Type I and influences Type III scale development through readthrough transcription.

WntA expression and wing transcriptomics illuminate the evolution of stripe patterns in skipper butterflies

This study shows WntA expression and gene expression patterns in skipper butterflies are homologous to the Central Symmetry System in nymphalid butterflies, revealing shared developmental mechanisms for wing stripe patterns.

Single-nucleus transcriptomics of wing sexual dimorphism and scale cell specialization in sulphur butterflies

This study uses single-nucleus transcriptomics to investigate sex-specific gene expression in wing scale cells of Colias eurytheme butterflies, revealing regulatory mechanisms underlying sexual dimorphism.

Genetic basis of an adaptive polymorphism controlling butterfly silver iridescence

This study identifies the genetic basis of silver iridescence polymorphism in Mormon Fritillary butterflies, linking it to the optix gene and showing evidence of selection and introgression.

Lepidopteran scale cells derive from sensory organ precursors through a canonical lineage

This study shows that lepidopteran scale cells originate from sensory organ precursors through a canonical lineage, supported by live imaging and single-nucleus RNA sequencing.

Cis-regulatory modes of Ultrabithorax inactivation in butterfly forewings

The paper investigates how the Hox gene Ubx is restricted to hindwings in butterflies by analyzing chromatin structures and CRISPR perturbations, revealing silencing and insulating sequences.

Frizzled2 receives the WntA morphogen during butterfly wing pattern formation

The paper shows that WntA and Frizzled2 form a signaling axis that instructs butterfly color patterning, with Fz2 acting as a morphogen receptor and other Frizzleds having distinct roles in wing development.

Genetics of continuous colour variation in a pair of sympatric sulphur butterflies

The paper identifies two interacting QTLs explaining 70% of heritable variation in butterfly wing color using interspecific crosses and automated color quantification.

A macromutation eliminates colour patterning in captive butterflies

The paper identifies a 78kb deletion at the cortex locus as the genetic basis of the ivory mutant phenotype in captive Heliconius butterflies, which is absent in wild populations.