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Fluctuating asymmetry and fitness in Drosophila melanogaster
Author(s) -
Denis Bourguet
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of evolutionary biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.289
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1420-9101
pISSN - 1010-061X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1420-9101.2000.00179.x
Subject(s) - fluctuating asymmetry , biology , bristle , drosophila melanogaster , fecundity , asymmetry , evolutionary biology , mating , drosophila (subgenus) , genetics , zoology , demography , population , gene , brush , physics , quantum mechanics , sociology , electrical engineering , engineering
Models predict that developmental stability measured by fluctuating asymmetry should be positively correlated with fitness. Although such a correlation has often been suggested by indirect studies, there is still a lack of direct experimental evidence. In this note, I have measured the fluctuating asymmetry of sternopleural bristle counts in 32 lines of Drosophila melanogaster sharing the same genetic background but displaying all combinations of five visible mutations. Fluctuating asymmetry was heterogeneous among lines, suggesting a direct impact of the mutations on developmental stability. Two measures of fitness were made for each line: productivity (a combined measure of fecundity and egg‐to‐adult survivorship) and competitive male mating success. Fluctuating asymmetry was correlated with neither of these two components of fitness. This suggests that generalizations about fluctuating asymmetry must be taken with care.