Genetics of a difference in cuticular hydrocarbons between Drosophila pseudoobscura and D. persimilis.
We identify a fixed species difference in the relative concentrations of the cuticular hydrocarbons 2-methyl hexacosane and 5,9-pentacosadiene in Drosophila pseudoobscura and D. persimilis, and determine its genetic basis. In backcross males, this difference is due to genes on both the X and second chromosomes, while the other two major chromosomes have no effect. In backcross females, only the second chromosome has a significant effect on hydrocarbon phenotype, but dominant genes on the X chromosome could also be involved. These results differ in two respects from previous studies of Drosophila cuticular hydrocarbons: strong epistasis is observed between the chromosomes that produce the hydrocarbon difference in males, and the difference is apparently unrelated to the strong sexual isolation observed between these species.
Noor
M A
MA
Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
Coyne
J A
JA
D000466:Alkadienes / Q000032:analysis*; D000473:Alkanes / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D018392:Genomic Imprinting; D008297:Male; D013045:Species Specificity
C103893:5,9-pentacosadiene; D000466:Alkadienes; D000473:Alkanes; C103894:2-methylhexacosane