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Translocations and a balanced polymorphism in a Drosophila population

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A Drosophila population cage initiated with equal numbers of two viable II–III translocation homozygotes rapidly evolved into a balanced polymorphism with the two translocations maintained throughout 25 generations at which time the experiment was terminated. The fertility of this population averaged 26%; a control population averaged 90%. The establishment of the polymorphism was interpreted with reference to the reduced viability of the two homozygotes such that their net fitness was considerably less than that of partially sterile double heterozygote. By the incorporation of specific values for the relative fitness of the three genotypes in a computer programme it was possible to simulate the polymorphism.

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Author notes

  1. Alan S. Robinson

    Present address: Association Euratom-ITAL, P.O. Box 48, Wageningen, The Netherlands

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Husbandry, University of Bristol, School of Veterinary Science, Langford, Bristol, England

    Alan S. Robinson

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  1. Alan S. Robinson
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Robinson, A.S. Translocations and a balanced polymorphism in a Drosophila population. Genetica 47, 231–236 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00123244

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00123244

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