The genetic basis of female pheromone differences between Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans.

ABSTRACT: Chemical signals are one means by which many insect species communicate. Differences in the combination of surface chemicals called cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) can influence mating behavior and affect reproductive isolation between species. Genes influencing three CHC compounds have been identified in Drosophila melanogaster. However, the genetic basis of other CHC compounds, whether these genes affect species differences in CHCs, and the genes' resulting effect on interspecies mating, remains unknown. We used fine-scale deficiency mapping of the third chromosome to identify 43 genomic regions that influence production of CHCs in both D. melanogaster and Drosophila simulans females. We identified an additional 23 small genomic regions that affect interspecies divergence in CHCs between f

SUBMITTER: Pardy JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6288273 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature