Scientists succeeded in uncovering the genetic secrets of the Blue Atlas butterfly (Polyommatus Atlantica), a tiny insect that lived in the Moroccan mountains and the northeast of Algeria. Recent research shows that this species has the highest number of chromosomes compared to other animals on earth, which is 229 pairs of chromosomes, far beyond its close relatives who on average only have 23-24 pairs.
This finding was published on September 10 in the journal Current Biology by the Research Team from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE: CSIC-UPF), Barcelona. For the first time, the butterfly genome was successfully mapped, producing a reference to the standard golden genome that can be compared with butterfly species or other moths.
The chromosome is divided, not multiplied
Unlike the multiplication mechanisms in general, the blue atlas chromosome is actually divided in the lack of dense DNA. As a result, the amount of genetic material remains the same, but arranged in small parts. The researchers estimate that this change occurred around three million years ago, when the number of chromosomes jumped from 24 to 229 in a relatively short time evolution.
Usually, this kind of extreme change is considered detrimental. However, the Blue Atlas butterfly can survive and evolve for millions of years. Unfortunately, at this time the population began to be threatened due to climate change, forest destruction, and excessive grazing.
Impact on evolution, conservation, and health
This research not only provides insight into how new species are formed, but also open up opportunities in the field of conservation. By understanding this butterfly DNA, scientists can estimate whether the species has a protective mechanism to deal with global temperatures that continue to increase.
In addition, this study is also relevant to human health. Changes in the composition of chromosomes also occur in cancer cells. By studying this process in blue butterflies, researchers hope to find ways to limit or even stop these dangerous changes in humans.
The main author of the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Dr. Charlotte Wright explained that detailed research on the Blue Atlas butterfly chromosome can reveal its benefits, influence on adaptability, and provide lessons for future conservation.
“By looking in detail how the blue butterfly chromosome is divided over time, we can begin to investigate the benefits, its influence on the ability of adaptation, as well as lessons that can support conservation in the future,” he said as quoted in Science Daily.
The senior author of this study, Mark Blaxter added genome is the key to understanding the origin and direction of the development of living things.
“The genome stores the key to understanding how living things are formed and where they will develop. This knowledge can also be applied across species. For example, understanding the process of solving chromosomes in blue butterflies can help us find ways to limit or stop similar processes in human cancer cells,” Mark said. (Science Daily/Z-2)
