Contrasting patterns of X-chromosome divergence underlie multiple sex-ratio polymorphisms in stalk-eyed flies.

ABSTRACT: Sex-linked segregation distorters cause offspring sex ratios to differ from equality. Theory predicts that such selfish alleles may either go to fixation and cause extinction, reach a stable polymorphism or initiate an evolutionary arms race with genetic modifiers. The extent to which a sex ratio distorter follows any of these trajectories in nature is poorly known. Here, we used X-linked sequence and simple tandem repeat data for three sympatric species of stalk-eyed flies (Teleopsis whitei and two cryptic species of T. dalmanni) to infer the evolution of distorting X chromosomes. By screening large numbers of field and recently laboratory-bred flies, we found no evidence of males with strongly female-biased sex ratio phenotypes (SR) in one species but high frequencies of SR males in the

SUBMITTER: Paczolt KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5585051 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature