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Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila
Published on: August 22, 2013
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GENETIC VARIATION IN CACTOPHILIC DROSOPHILA FOR OVIPOSITION ON NATURAL YEAST SUBSTRATES.
1Department of Animal Science, University of New England, Armidale, N.S.W., 2351, AUSTRALIA.
Summary
Environmental heterogeneity can maintain genetic diversity. Studies on Drosophila flies show genotype-specific oviposition preferences for yeast substrates, supporting habitat selection as a mechanism for preserving genetic variation within populations.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Behavioral Ecology
- Population Genetics
Background:
- Environmental heterogeneity is theorized to maintain genetic polymorphism.
- Genotype-specific habitat preferences can stabilize genetic polymorphisms.
- Oviposition site selection in Drosophila may be a key factor in maintaining genetic variation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that genotype-specific oviposition preferences promote habitat selection and maintain genetic variation in Drosophila.
- To investigate genetic variation for oviposition preferences in cactophilic Drosophila species.
Main Methods:
- Utilized isofemale lines of Drosophila buzzatii and Drosophila aldrichi from various Australian localities.
- Assessed female oviposition preferences among five different yeast species, natural oviposition sites.
- Analyzed genetic variation in preferences within and among populations.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated significant genetic variation among isofemale lines within populations for oviposition preferences.
- Genetic variation for preferences was observed for three out of five tested yeast species.
- Heritability estimates for individual female preferences were low, up to 9%; minimal geographic differentiation was found.
Conclusions:
- Habitat selection based on genotype-specific oviposition preferences can maintain genetic polymorphisms within Drosophila populations.
- This mechanism likely affects both genes controlling preference and those in linkage disequilibrium.
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