# Characterizing the Molecular Basis of Supergene Mimicry in Butterflies

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · 2023 · $399,064

## Abstract

Characterizing the Molecular Basis of Supergene Mimicry in Butterflies
Project Summary
Sex-limited polymorphism is widespread in animals, including a variety of human traits and diseases, yet we
lack a general functional understanding of sex-limited polymorphism in any organism. “Supergene” mimicry in
the swallowtail butterfly Papilio polytes stands out as a particularly striking example of sex-limited
polymorphism and one that is amenable to functional characterization. While much theoretical work has
explored the evolutionary dynamics of supergene mimicry, its molecular and developmental basis is virtually
unexplored. Over the last five years we have determined that a single gene, doublesex, controls the mimicry
switch in P. polytes and we have studied the origin and evolution of mimicry, behavioral aspects of mimicry,
natural selection in nature, and we have developed tools and methods for CRISPR and multiple functional
genomics assays. We propose to investigate the functional basis of supergene mimicry in P. polytes by
integrating genomics, functional genetics, molecular and developmental biology, providing the single most
comprehensive investigation of its kind. In so doing, this work will greatly expand the known role of the sexual
determination pathway, and generate general insights into molecular and cellular causes of sexual
differentiation, dimorphism, and sex-limited polymorphism.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10671663
- **Project number:** 5R35GM131828-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Marcus Kronforst
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $399,064
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-17 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10671663

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10671663, Characterizing the Molecular Basis of Supergene Mimicry in Butterflies (5R35GM131828-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10671663. Licensed CC0.

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