An independent non-linear latitudinal cline for the sn-glycerol-3-phosphate (alpha- Gpdh ) polymorphism of Drosophila melanogaster from eastern Australia.
Latitudinal variation of the polymorphic sn-glycerol-3-phosphate (alpha-Gpdh) locus in Drosophila melanogaster has been characterized on several continents; however, apparent clinal patterns are potentially confounded by linkage with an inversion, close associations with other genetic markers that vary clinally, and a tandem alpha-Gpdh pseudogene. Here we compare clinal patterns in alpha-Gpdh with those of other linked markers by testing field flies from eastern Australian locations collected in two separate years. The alpha-Gpdh variation exhibited a consistent non-linear cline reflecting an increase in the alpha-GpdhF allele at extreme latitudes. This pattern was not influenced by the In(2L)t inversion wherein this locus is located, nor was it influenced by the presence of the alpha-Gpdh pseudogene, whose presence was ubiquitous and highly variable among populations. The alpha-Gpdh pattern was also independent of a cline in allozyme frequencies at the alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) locus, and two length polymorphisms in the Adh gene. These results suggest clinal selection at the alpha-Gpdh locus that is partially or wholly unrelated to linear climatic gradients along the eastern coast of Australia.
Centre for Environmental Stress and Adaptation Research, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia. p.umina@latrobe.edu.au
Paul A
PA
Umina
Ary A
AA
Hoffmann
Andrew R
AR
Weeks
Stephen W
SW
McKechnie
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D002875:Chromosomes; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D017344:Genes, Insect; D005819:Genetic Markers; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005994:Glycerophosphates / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D005819:Genetic Markers; D005994:Glycerophosphates; C029620:alpha-glycerophosphoric acid