Open AccessQuantitative genetics of learning ability and resistance to stress in Drosophila melanogaster
Author(s) -
Nepoux Virginie,
Babin Aurélie,
Haag Christoph,
Kawecki Tadeusz J.,
Le Rouzic Arnaud
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.1379
Subject(s) - genetic architecture , biology , inbreeding , diallel cross , genetic variation , quantitative trait locus , trait , drosophila melanogaster , genetics , population , adaptation (eye) , evolutionary biology , gene , demography , botany , hybrid , neuroscience , sociology , computer science , programming language
Even though laboratory evolution experiments have demonstrated genetic variation for learning ability, we know little about the underlying genetic architecture and genetic relationships with other ecologically relevant traits. With a full diallel cross among twelve inbred lines of Drosophila melanogaster originating from a natural population (0.75 < F < 0.93), we investigated the genetic architecture of olfactory learning ability and compared it to that for another behavioral trait (unconditional preference for odors), as well as three traits quantifying the ability to deal with environmental challenges: egg‐to‐adult survival and developmental rate on a low‐quality food, and resistance to a bacterial pathogen. Substantial additive genetic variation was detected for each trait, highlighting their potential to evolve. Genetic effects contributed more than nongenetic parental effects to variation in traits measured at the adult stage: learning, odorant perception, and resistance to infection. In contrast, the two traits quantifying larval tolerance to low‐quality food were more strongly affected by parental effects. We found no evidence for genetic correlations between traits, suggesting that these traits could evolve at least to some degree independently of one another. Finally, inbreeding adversely affected all traits.