A mutation in the promoter of desaturase 2 is correlated with sexual isolation between Drosophila behavioral races.
Examples of genes governing behavioral isolation are scarce. Here we report that a regulatory mutation in desaturase 2, known to determine a pheromonal polymorphism in Drosophila melanogaster females, may be such an example. This mutation is strongly correlated with the mating pattern between the Zimbabwe and cosmopolitan races of this species. These two behavioral races appear to be at the incipient stage of speciation. The desaturase 2 mutation may be one of the many loci underlying the behavioral differences between the two races.
Fang
Shu
S
Department of Ecology and Evolution, The University of Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Takahashi
Aya
A
Wu
Chung-I
CI
D000818:Animals; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases; C499595:desat2 protein, Drosophila