Studies on the Scutellar Bristles of Drosophila melanogaster. IV. Selection for Low Bristle Number in Oregon-RC Wild-type Lines

Abstract

Results are presented of 130-145 generations of selection for low scutellar bristle number in four lines of D. melanogaster derived directly from an Oregon-RC wild-type stock and in one derived from an Oregon-RC line selected for low sternital bristle number. The most rapid initial response and the lowest mean scutellar bristle number ultimately reached, just below 2 bristles, occurred in a line in which the response was due to a new recessive gene located at approximately 17·4 on the X chromosome. Three of the other four lines reached a plateau just above a mean of 2 bristles after different patterns of response. These plateaux reflected a new canalization or threshold phenomenon at 2 bristles in these lines. The remaining line reached a mean of about 2· 5 bristles after some 50 generations and remained at that level or slightly higher thereafter, but had no indication of canalization at 2 bristles. Two relaxed lines were derived from each selection line at different times and showed variable patterns of regression towards the base population level.