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Fitness relationships under different temperature regimes in Drosophila melanogaster: the eyeless/shaven-naked genetic system

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Abstract

Genotypic fitnesses were estimated over the temperature range 15°C to 29°C for genotypes of the eyeless/shaven-naked system. Total fitness was determined directly from estimates of mating ability, fecundity and egg-to-adult development time and viability, by gene frequency changes in discrete generation populations and in a single generation population experiment involving culture on a rotational basis at 29°C and 15°C. Genotypic differences were detected for mating ability and egg to adult development time and survival. Heterozygote advantage was observed for total fitness and this effect was greatest at 15°C and for culture on a rotational basis at 29°C and 15°C. There was evidence for genetic associations among some fitness components. The tendency for heterozygote advantage in extreme environments supports the general observation of high expressed genetic variation for fitness under extreme stresses. The results suggest an approach to the understanding of the genetic basis of fitness variation in natural populations based upon direct assessments of environmental stresses of ecological importance.

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  1. Department of Genetics and Human Variation, La Trobe University, 3083, Bundoora, Australia

    M. J. Kohane

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Kohane, M.J. Fitness relationships under different temperature regimes in Drosophila melanogaster: the eyeless/shaven-naked genetic system. Genetica 72, 199–210 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00116224

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00116224

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