The lowly fruit fly (Drosophila) is the research biologist’s friend in fields such as biomedical science, genetics, and developmental biology. The insect takes up little space, is easily fed, has just four pairs of chromosomes, and reproduces rapidly.

Biofluorescence is a phenomenon in which creatures—plant or animal—absorb light at a certain wavelength and release or emit it at a different wavelength. The light from the animal becomes a different color from the light that was absorbed.

In 2020, ICR’s Dr. Jeff Tomkins discussed biofluorescence in the platypus, of all animals.