Polygenic control of a mating signal in Drosophila.
Recent findings show that traits which influence speciation in the melanogaster subgroup of Drosophila can be determined by relatively few loci and/ or be sex-linked. Using backcrosses between D. simulans and D. mauritiana, we show that an acoustic mating signal which plays an important role in courtship (the interpulse interval of the 'lovesong') has a polygenic determination. There is no evidence of single genes of large effect, a disproportionate contribution of the sex chromosome or epistasis. The probability of finding single genes with a large effect on sexual isolation may vary with the mode of signalling involved.
Pugh
A R
AR
University of St Andrews, Fife, U.K.
Ritchie
M G
MG
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D017344:Genes, Insect; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006720:Homozygote; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D013045:Species Specificity; D014828:Vocalization, Animal