The role of gene duplication in shaping divergent patterns of gene expression across a complex life cycle

The objective of this study was to explore the transcriptional basis of the holometabolous development of Danaus plexippus (the monarch butterfly), which we reasoned would lend insight into how complex life cycles evolve. Overall design: To investigate the transcriptional basis of the Danaus plexippus (the monarch butterfly) holometabolous development, we used RNA-Seq to profile the gene expression from whole body homogenate of third instar larvae, fifth instar larva, early pupae, late pupae, and adult monarchs.