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Updated: May 6, 2026
Measurement of Lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster
Published on: January 7, 2013
Expression of genetic and environmental variation during ageing : 2. Selection for increased lifespan in Drosophila
G Engström1, L E Liljedahl, T Björklund
1Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7023, S-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
Abstract:
A selection experiment with Drosophila melanogaster was carried out to test some theories of ageing by calculating genetic parameters for a reproductive fitness trait at different ages. Successful selection for increased lifespan showed that longevity is a trait under genetic control. Positive genetic correlations between early and late fitness were found. These results do not support the pleiotropy theory of ageing which predicts a negative genetic correlation. Both environmental and additive genetic variation clearly increased with age. Increased environmental variation probably reflects the individuals' difficulties in coping with environmental stress. The increase in additive genetic variation supports the mutation accumulation theory of ageing, as well as other theories that postulate increased additive genetic variation with age.
