The evolution of larger size in high-altitude Drosophila melanogaster has a variable genetic architecture.

ABSTRACT: Important uncertainties persist regarding the genetic architecture of adaptive trait evolution in natural populations, including the number of genetic variants involved, whether they are drawn from standing genetic variation, and whether directional selection drives them to complete fixation. Here, we take advantage of a unique natural population of Drosophila melanogaster from the Ethiopian highlands, which has evolved larger body size than any other known population of this species. We apply a bulk segregant quantitative trait locus mapping approach to 4 unique crosses between highland Ethiopian and lowland Zambian populations for both thorax length and wing length. Results indicated a persistently variable genetic basis for these evolved traits (with largely distinct sets of quantitativ

SUBMITTER: Sprengelmeyer QD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8895999 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature