What mechanism explains the rapid evolution of vivid colors in Fairy Wrasses (*Cirrhilabrus*)?
Relatively quick acquisition of new color genes or regulatory elements
The evolution of the vibrant and complex color patterns seen in Fairy Wrasses, members of the genus *Cirrhilabrus*, is characterized by speed rather than gradualism. Research indicates that the development of these colors is not a slow, step-by-step modification. Instead, significant visual differentiation between species appears linked to the relatively swift acquisition of entirely new color genes or regulatory elements that control pigment expression. This rapid genetic shift suggests that the selection pressures favoring visual signaling—likely crucial for mate attraction in sexually dimorphic displays—were intense and perhaps occurred episodically, leading to quick divergence in appearance even between closely related populations.
