Chromosomal analysis of DDT-resistance in a long-term selected population of Drosophila melanogaster. 1977

D Dapkus, and D J Merrell

The genetic basis of DDT-resistance was studied in a population of Drosophila melanogaster. This population was unique in that it had been continually selected for DDT-resistance since 1952 and had achieved a very high level of resistance. The genetic basis of resistance was studied by means of a chromosomal analysis. Fifteen combinations of resistant and control chromosomes were tested using a time-based DDT test. The analysis of the data showed that resistance was multifactorial with each of the three major chromosomes involved. Dominant and recessive second and third chromosome effects were found to be much more important than those of the first chromosome, which had no detectable recessive effects. Second and third chromosome resistance genes showed incomplete dominance. The average dominance of the second chromosome was much less than that of the third chromosome. These large-scale differences between chromosomes' effects and average dominance may indicate that a small number of resistance genes are involved. Two significant interactions between chromosomes were found. Scaling difficulties make the interactions difficult to interpret without further data. It seems possible that positive interactions between resistance have been developed by the long-term directional selection in this population.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007305 Insecticide Resistance The development by insects of resistance to insecticides. Insecticide Resistances,Resistance, Insecticide,Resistances, Insecticide
D002875 Chromosomes In a prokaryotic cell or in the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell, a structure consisting of or containing DNA which carries the genetic information essential to the cell. (From Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed) Chromosome
D003433 Crosses, Genetic Deliberate breeding of two different individuals that results in offspring that carry part of the genetic material of each parent. The parent organisms must be genetically compatible and may be from different varieties or closely related species. Cross, Genetic,Genetic Cross,Genetic Crosses
D003634 DDT A polychlorinated pesticide that is resistant to destruction by light and oxidation. Its unusual stability has resulted in difficulties in residue removal from water, soil, and foodstuffs. This substance may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen: Fourth Annual Report on Carcinogens (NTP-85-002, 1985). (From Merck Index, 11th ed) 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane,4,4'-DDT,4,4'-Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane,Benzochloryl,Chlorophenothane,TbisC-ethane,p',p'-DDT,4,4' DDT,4,4' Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane,TbisC ethane
D004331 Drosophila melanogaster A species of fruit fly frequently used in genetics because of the large size of its chromosomes. D. melanogaster,Drosophila melanogasters,melanogaster, Drosophila
D005796 Genes A category of nucleic acid sequences that function as units of heredity and which code for the basic instructions for the development, reproduction, and maintenance of organisms. Cistron,Gene,Genetic Materials,Cistrons,Genetic Material,Material, Genetic,Materials, Genetic
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012641 Selection, Genetic Differential and non-random reproduction of different genotypes, operating to alter the gene frequencies within a population. Natural Selection,Genetic Selection,Selection, Natural

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