The Horned Beetle

Horned beetle species have evolved a stunning array of horn shapes and sizes.  Indiana University Bloomington biologist Armin Moczek studies the beetles with three goals in mind: to pin down genes that govern the formation of horns, figure out how programmed cell death (apoptosis) plays a role in horn shaping, and determine how key hormones and growth factors influence the size and location of horns.

Credit: Armin Moczek