Niche Width and Genetic Variation in Hawaiian Drosophila

Abstract

With the use of regression techniques, associations are found between genetic variability and the number of oviposition sites utilized by two exotic and 16 endemic species of Hawaiian Drosophila. An additional association is found for altitudinal location of populations of D. setosimentum and genetic variability. These findings are interpreted as providing support for the niche width-genetic variability hypothesis. Additional studies to confirm these findings and establish their genetic basis are suggested.