Genetic localization of foraging (for): a major gene for larval behavior in Drosophila melanogaster

Localizing genes for quantitative traits by conventional recombination mapping is a formidable challenge because environmental variation, minor genes, and genetic markers have modifying effects on continuously varying phenotypes. We describe "lethal tagging," a method used in conjunction with deficiency mapping for localizing major genes associated with quantitative traits. Rover/sitter is a naturally occurring larval foraging polymorphism in Drosophila melanogaster which has a polygenic pattern of inheritance comprised of a single major gene (foraging) and minor modifier genes. We have successfully localized the lethal tagged foraging (for, 2-10) gene by deficiency mapping to 24A3-C5 on the polytene chromosome map.