DYNAMICS OF POLYMORPHISMS: I. SELECTION COMPONENTS IN AN EXPERIMENTAL POPULATION OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Abstract

The total dynamics of a fourth chromosome polymorphism in Drosophila melanogaster is studied in an experimental population in which it is possible to measure various selection components simultaneously in each generation. It is demonstrated that although zygotic selection operates in the system, the component of major importance for the dynamics is sexual selection, and it is this component that is responsible for the stability of the polymorphism. Fecundity selection is of very minor importance. Both zygotic and sexual selection components behave in a frequency-dependent way. The results are discussed in relation to genetic load and the detection of selection in natural and experimental populations.