Genetic Correlation Structure of Life History Variables in Outbred, Wild Drosophila melanogaster: Effects of Photoperiod Regimen

Abstract

The necessity to retest previous observations of positive genetic correlation structure of life history traits in Drosophila melanogaster together with a desire to test the effects of photoperiod on the life history of this species prompted this study. Flies used in the experiment were second-generation descendants of wild-caught females that had been randomly outcrossed during their first laboratory generation to maintain "natural" levels of outbreeding and then further out-crossed in a full-sib-half-sib design. Two major conclusions are reached. First, additive genetic correlations, when significant, are positive as in previous studies done in our laboratory. Second, photoperiod exerts strong effects on the values of life history traits.