Genetic Variation Within and Between Populations of Drosophila Melanogaster
Gibson, Patricia Ann Kacena
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/77586
Description
Title
Genetic Variation Within and Between Populations of Drosophila Melanogaster
Author(s)
Gibson, Patricia Ann Kacena
Issue Date
1980
Department of Study
Genetics and Development
Discipline
Genetics and Development
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Biology, Genetics
Language
eng
Abstract
The population of Drosophila melanogaster in an experimental apple orchard was monitored in 1976 and 1977. In 1977 two additional populations of D. melanogaster were also examined.
Concurrently with population sampling, environmental data (including several temperature, humidity and pressure parameters for both the day and week preceding capture as well as apple variety, density and volume at the sites of capture) were measured. Additionally, at every site the degree of decomposition (as an estimate of the amount of fermentation) of each fruit was subjectively determined.
These environmental features along with the date of capture, relative abundance, proportion of males and proportion of D. melanogaster (in relation to its sibling species, D. simulans) captured were examined for possible correlations with genetic data obtained by starch gel electrophoresis for twelve polymorphic loci (Adh, (alpha)gpdh, Idh, Pgm, Mdh-1, Mdh-2, Est-6, Est-C, Aldox, Ap, Acph and 6pgd).
Although the same alleles were the most common in each population, differences between populations were found in allelic and genotypic frequencies at some loci. The smallest population had the largest fluctuations in allele frequency. Although no correlations were found between individual heterozygosity and population size, a few genetic correlations with relative abundance were found.
The proportion of D. melanogaster dropped dramatically between the two years and was correlated with several temperature parameters in 1977 as well as with many allelic and genotype frequencies at several loci during both years.
Genetic associations with both collection date and several temperature parameters of the day and week preceding capture were numerous. Some of these significant correlations were consistent among the different populations. Some correlations also occurred between relative humidity parameters and various genetic factors.
Several loci exhibited associations with the various apple parameters, indicating that the larval food source may influence genetics.
In both years, apparent subpopulations were associated with apple variety. Experimental evidence supported the hypothesis that differential selection due to apple variety affected immature forms of D. melanogaster. The genetic similarities between subpopulations found at trees of a given variety were enhanced by migration. The genetic differences and the distances between subpopulations were not correlated.
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