Scientists have recently unraveled a decades-long mystery surrounding a common damselfly species in Central Europe. The species, known as the Variable Damselfly, has been puzzling researchers since it was first discovered over a century ago due to its unusually large range of colors and patterns.

After years of research, a team of scientists from the University of Cambridge and the Natural History Museum in London have finally cracked the case. Through lab experiments and fieldwork, they discovered that the Variable Damselfly’s wide range of body patterns and colors is due to a single gene that controls pigmentation. This gene has many different variations, which ultimately leads to the species’ unique range of colors.

This study has opened up a new path of research for scientists, as it provides new insight into the evolution of color in animals. With this knowledge, scientists can now better understand how genes are changing and evolving over time.

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source: Phys.org