There’s a reason fashion designers look to animal prints for inspiration. Creatures have evolved a dizzying array of patterns: stripes, spots, diamonds, chevrons, hexagons and even mazelike designs.

Some patterns arise simply or randomly, but others develop via complex, precise interactions of pattern-generating systems. Their beauty aside, the intricacies of these systems are inspiring the ...

A genetic mutation determines whether a tabby cat is a mackerel (top row) or blotched (bottom row). (Image courtesy of Helmi Flick) Tabby may be a colloquial term for a female kitty, but it’s more ...

Now, researchers have identified the gene that is behind these patterns. Analysis of skin samples from cat embryos at different stages of development helped experts from the HudsonAlpha Institute for ...