Heritable variation in courtship patterns in Drosophila melanogaster.

ABSTRACT: Little is known about the genetic basis of naturally occurring variation for sexually selected behavioral traits. Drosophila melanogaster, with its rich repertoire of courtship behavior and genomic and genetic resources, is an excellent model organism for addressing this question. We assayed a genetically diverse panel of lines with full genome sequences, the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel, to assess the heritability of variation in courtship behavior and mating progression. We subsequently used these data to quantify natural variation in transition probabilities between courtship behaviors. We found heritable variation along the expected trajectory for courtship behaviors, including the tendency to initiate courtship and rate of progression through courtship, suggesting a genetic basi

SUBMITTER: Gaertner BE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4390569 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature