QUANTITATIVE GENETICS OF FERTILITY. IV. CHROMOSOMES AFFECTING EGG PRODUCTION INDROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Abstract

Chromosomal combinations of the X, 2 and 3 chromosomes were synthesized from two inbred lines of Drosophila Melanogaster. Egg production determinations over the productive lifetime of sibling matings from the lines were fitted to a new model of lifetime egg production. The two parameters in the model which had been shown to be essentially genetic were related to specific chromosome effects. Chromosomes X and 3 but not 2, influenced the rate of decline in oviposition α and the time of cessation of egg-laying t_q. In addition, interactions of chromosomes 2 and 3 upon these parameters were detected. The chromosome or interaction between chromosomes which decreased α concomitantly increased t_qand vice versa.