Open AccessGenetics of inbred Drosophila melanogaster
Author(s) -
LÜNING K. G.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
hereditas
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.819
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1601-5223
pISSN - 0018-0661
DOI - 10.1111/j.1601-5223.1988.tb00359.x
Subject(s) - biology , transposable element , drosophila melanogaster , genetics , inbred strain , drosophila (subgenus) , mutation , type (biology) , gene , mutant , ecology
In this paper, we have analyzed four sets of four independent changes from strong to weak R‐type after transfer from 14 to 28 days generation interval. From the same original lines, weak R‐types were also established by yellow homozygosity. It was shown that there occurred differences both within and between the sets and between the effect of the generation interval and yellow homozygosity. From these results, it was concluded that the alterations of the R‐type were caused by qualitative changes in the R‐elements. Such changes could occur at 10 per cent, which is 10,000 to 100,000 times the rate of gene mutations. It is mentioned that there had occurred several de novo transitions from R‐ to I‐type lines, but none in strong R‐lines. It is suggested that the high rate of changes in the cytoplasmic elements may be a trigger mechanism to release increased mutation rates by the de novo occurrence of transposable elements and thus have considerable evolutionary consequences.