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Selection at the alcohol dehydrogenase locus of Drosophila melanogaster: Effects of ethanol and temperature

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Abstract

Drosophila melanogaster larvae were subjected to 10 generations of selection on 6% ethanol at 17, 25, and 30°C. For each temperature there was a significant (P<0.01) increase in the frequency of the Adh isoallele. Controls with no ethanol showed no change in the frequency of the Adh F isoallele. Larvae subjected to stronger selection on 8% ethanol confirmed the results. When adults of various ages were subjected to 16 and 32°C, the ADHF isoenzyme retained its twofold advantage in activity over ADHS regardless of the temperature. The same result was obtained with larvae at 16 and 35°C. Although some effect of temperature was demonstrated, it was concluded that the effect was not strong enough for temperature to be a selective factor under the conditions studied. However, ethanol is a strong selective factor for laboratory populations.

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Vigue, C.L., Weisgram, P.A. & Rosenthal, E. Selection at the alcohol dehydrogenase locus of Drosophila melanogaster: Effects of ethanol and temperature. Biochem Genet 20, 681–688 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00483965

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00483965

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