Open AccessGenetic analysis of speciation by means of introgression into Drosophila melanogaster
Author(s) -
Kyoichi Sawamura,
Alan Davis,
ChungI Wu
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.050558597
Subject(s) - biology , sterility , reproductive isolation , introgression , drosophila melanogaster , genetics , locus (genetics) , evolutionary biology , melanogaster , genetic algorithm , gene , population , demography , sociology
In the last decade, the genetic basis of reproductive isolation has been shown to be surprisingly polygenic, and yet even the most efficient system currently in use could lend itself to molecular analysis only in highly selected cases. By extending the recent discovery of fertility rescue betweenDrosophila melanogaster andDrosophila simulans , we show that this hybridization can permit systematic and precise delineation of the genetic and molecular basis of speciation. In a region of 5% of theD. simulans genome introgressed intoD. melanogaster , we discover at least six genes of hybrid male sterility and none for female sterility by deficiency mapping. A single case of hybrid inviability has been tracked down to a 3-Kb element that was inserted into theCyclin E locus during species hybridization. The extent of interspecific genetic divergence underlying hybrid male sterility, especially in contrast with the low degree of inviability and female sterility, is far greater than expected from previous studies.