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Genetic control of activity, preening, and the response to a shadow stimulus inDrosophila melanogaster

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Abstract

Spontaneous locomotor activity, preening and the change in frequency of each in response to a shadow have been studied in Drosophila melanogaster by means of a time-sampling technique. The genetic control of these four behaviors was elucidated by application of biometrical genetic analysis. The genetic architecture for spontaneous activity indicated a history of natural selection for comparatively high activity. There was a tendency for both activity and preening to decrease in response to shadow stimulation. The genetic control indicates that this form of reaction is advantageous and suggests a relation to the avoidance of predation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Genetics and Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England

    John Angus

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  1. John Angus
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Additional information

This study was carried out during the tenure of a studentship from the Science Research Council, and was further supported by a grant from the Medical Research Council to Professors P. L.Broadhurst and J. L. Jinks.

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Angus, J. Genetic control of activity, preening, and the response to a shadow stimulus inDrosophila melanogaster . Behav Genet 4, 317–329 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01066153

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01066153

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