Abstract
The larvae of Drosophila sechellia are highly resistant to octanoic acid, a toxin found in D. sechellia's host plant, Morinda citrifolia. In contrast, close relatives of D. sechellia, D. simulans and D. melanogaster, are not resistant. In a series of interspecific backcrosses, 11 genetic markers were used to map factors affecting egg-to-adult ('larval') resistance in D. sechellia. The third chromosome harbours at least one partially dominant resistance factor. The second chromosome carries at least two mostly dominant resistance factors but no recessive factors. However, neither the X chromosome--which contains 20% of D. sechellia's genome--nor the fourth chromosome appear to affect resistance. These data suggest that larval resistance to Morinda toxin may involve only a handful of genes. These results, when compared with a previous analysis of adult resistance to Morinda toxin in D. sechellia, suggest that larval resistance may involve a subset of the genes underlying adult resistance.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.