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.
Umina
Paul A
PA
Centre for Environmental Stress and Adaptation Research, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia. p.umina@latrobe.edu.au
Hoffmann
Ary A
AA
Weeks
Andrew R
AR
McKechnie
Stephen W
SW
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