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Transposable element-induced response to artificial selection in Drosophila melanogaster
Genetics
|October 1, 1985
Summary
P element transposition in Drosophila melanogaster significantly increases quantitative trait variation. This leads to faster evolutionary responses to artificial selection, revealing insights into genetic variation and inheritance.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- P transposable elements in Drosophila melanogaster exhibit high transposition rates in specific crosses.
- P element activity can induce mutations, chromosome rearrangements, and affect quantitative traits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of P element mutagenesis on quantitative genetic variation.
- To assess the effect of P element transposition on the response to artificial selection.
Main Methods:
- Divergent artificial selection for abdominal bristle number over 16 generations.
- Crosses between P-strain and M-strain Drosophila melanogaster with reciprocal arrangements.
- Analysis of realized heritability and phenotypic variance.
Main Results:
- Realized heritability was 1.5 times higher in crosses with high P element transposition.
- Phenotypic variance increased fourfold in lines with high transposition.
- Nonadditive genetic variation and deleterious fitness effects were observed.
Conclusions:
- P element transposition significantly enhances quantitative genetic variation.
- This variation accelerates evolutionary responses to selection.
- Further molecular investigation of identified mutations is warranted.