背景回顾：Gene co-option, the redeployment of an existing gene in an unrelated developmental context, is an important mechanism underlying the evolution of morphological novelty. 

提出问题：In most cases described to date, novel traits emerged by co-option of a single gene or genetic network. 

主要发现：Here, we show that the integration of multiple co-opted genetic elements facilitated the rapid evolution of complex petal spots that mimic female bee-fly pollinators in the sexually deceptive South African daisy Gorteria diffusa. 

结果1-色素沉着：First, co-option of iron homeostasis genes altered petal spot pigmentation, producing a color similar to that of female pollinators. 

结果2-乳凸表皮：Second, co-option of the root hair gene GdEXPA7 enabled the formation of enlarged papillate petal epidermal cells, eliciting copulation responses from male flies. 

结果3-斑点位置：Third, co-option of the miR156-GdSPL1 transcription factor module altered petal spot placement, resulting in better mimicry of female flies resting on the flower.

结果4-综合： The three genetic elements were likely co-opted sequentially, and strength of sexual deception in different G. diffusa floral forms strongly correlates with the presence of the three corresponding morphological alterations. 

结论：Our findings suggest that gene co-options can combine in a modular fashion, enabling rapid evolution of novel complex traits.

基因选配，即在不相关的发育情境中重新部署现有基因，是形态学新颖性演化的重要机制。在迄今为止的大多数情况下，新的性状是通过单一基因或遗传网络的选配而出现的。本文中，作者发现多种选配的遗传元素的整合，促进了南非雏菊模拟雌性蜂蝇授粉者的复杂花瓣斑点的快速演化。首先，铁稳态基因的选配改变了花瓣斑点的色素沉着，产生了类似于雌性传粉昆虫的颜色。其次，根毛基因GdEXPA7的选配使得乳突状花瓣表皮细胞得以形成，从而引诱雄蝇产生交配响应。第三，miR156-GdSPL1转录因子模块的选配改变了花瓣斑点的位置，使得其能够更好地模拟停留在花瓣上的雌性蜂蝇。这三种遗传因素有可能是依次选配的，不同南非雏菊花形式的性欺骗强度与三种相应形态变化的存在密切相关。本文的研究结果表明，基因选配可以以模块化的方式结合，从而实现新的复杂性状的快速演化。

** Beverley J. Glover **