J. Davey

A novel terpene synthase produces an anti-aphrodisiac pheromone in the butterfly Heliconius melpomene

The paper identifies a novel terpene synthase in Heliconius melpomene that synthesizes (E)-β-ocimene, an anti-aphrodisiac pheromone, showing it evolved independently from plant and other insect TPSs.

Mechanisms involved in follistatin-induced hypertrophy and increased insulin action in skeletal muscle

This study shows that follistatin overexpression in muscle improves insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and protein synthesis, and that circulating follistatin increases after bariatric surgery, suggesting its role in insulin sensitivity.

Genomic architecture and introgression shape a butterfly radiation

The paper uses a low-cost genome assembly strategy to study Heliconius butterfly evolution, finding that introgression, not incomplete lineage sorting, explains most non-canonical genetic histories.

Generalisation behaviour of predators toward warning signals displayed by harmful prey: answers from a videogame played by humans.

This study uses a video game to investigate human generalisation behaviour toward warning signals of harmful prey, finding that learning is more efficient in simpler communities and that visual similarity affects prey vulnerability.

Genetic dissection of assortative mating behavior

This study identifies three large-effect QTLs underlying divergent male preference behavior in Heliconius butterflies, linking them to color pattern genes and suggesting modular evolution of assortative mating traits.

Recombination rate variation shapes barriers to introgression across butterfly genomes

The paper examines how recombination rate variation influences introgression barriers in butterfly genomes, finding that recombination rates predict introgression rates and that long chromosomes have stronger barriers.