Genetic Architecture and Adaptation: Quantitative Analysis of Sheep and Refuse Tip Populations of the Australian Sheep Blowfly, Lucilia cuprina

Abstract

Phenotypic differentiation between geographic areas and between sheep and adjacent refuse tip populations was assessed by quantitative analysis of population samples of L. cuprina from New South Wales (Lismore) and Victoria (Mansfield). In addition the genetic structure of populations has been defined and compared by biometrical analysis techniques. For all morphological and fitness characters examined significant phenotypic differentiation was observed both between geographic localities and between sheep and non-sheep populations of each locality. Diallel analysis of the populations revealed architectural differences between sheep and non-sheep populations for both fecundity and egg hatchability. Sheep populations only, regardless of locality, displayed dominant gene effects on these fitness traits. The results suggest that refuse tip populations may be other than transients and that the differentiation may reflect differing patterns of adaptation and history of selection of the populations. The relevance of such differentiation to the successful establishment of a chemical and/or autocidal control zone is considered.