Selection for six scutellar chaetae in Drosophila melanogaster

1. From a base population showing some flies with more than the normal 4 scutellar chaeta phenotype directional selection was carried out and lead to a line with many flies having 6 chaetae. 2. Selection was then practised for 6 chaetae such that the extra 2 chaetae were in the anterior left and anterior right positions on the scutellum. This lead to a line with most flies having this chaeta number and pattern, therefore showing some canalization. 3. Additive genetic activity controlling the increased chaeta number was found on all the 3 major chromosomes.