A new study of flower petals shows evolution in action, and contradicts more that 60 years of scientific thought.

Columbine flowers are recognizable by the long, trailing nectar spurs that extend from the bases of their petals, tempting the taste buds of their insect pollinators.

University of California-Santa Barbara scientists say they have identified the genes that are responsible for changing a flower's colors. Professor Scott Hodges and graduate student Nathan Derieg said they studied red columbines pollinated by hummingbirds and white or yellow columbines pollinated by hawkmoths to document the evolution of such flowers in North America. They said their research indicates a color shift from red to white or yellow has occurred five times in that region. What is important in this research is that hawkmoths mostly visit and pollinate white or pale flowers, Hodges said.

Scientists at UC Santa Barbara have zeroed in on the genes responsible for changing flower color, an area of research that began with Gregor Mendel's studies of the garden pea in the 1850's.

To: RELIGION EDITORS Contact: Donna Ballentine of American Right To Life, +1-888-888- ARTL ext 2785, office@AmericanRTL.com DENVER, April 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American RTL members are holding a movie marathon viewing all fifteen showings on opening weekend of Ben Stein's new movie, Expelled - No Intelligence Allowed (http://www.expelledthemovie.com), Friday through Sunday, April 18- 20.