Science Daily  March 23, 2023 Gene co-option, the redeployment of an existing gene in an unrelated developmental context, is an important mechanism underlying the evolution of morphological novelty. In most cases novel traits emerged by co-option of a single gene or genetic network. An international team of researchers (UK, South Africa) has shown that the integration of multiple co-opted genetic elements facilitated the rapid evolution of complex petal spots that mimic female bee-fly pollinators in the sexually deceptive South African daisy. They explained that co-option of iron homeostasis genes altered petal spot pigmentation, producing a color similar to that of […]