Drosophila alcohol dehydrogenase frequencies and temperature

Abstract

SUMMARY: D. melanogaster imagoes were collected weekly throughout the summer and early fall of 1976. Their Adh genotypes were determined by electrophoresis. The frequency of the Adh⁴ isoallele fluctuated throughout the period of study. Correlation coefficients assuming no delay, one week delay, two weeks' delay, three weeks' delay, and a four-week delay of the effect of temperature on the frequency of the Adh⁴ isoallele were insignificant. It was concluded that temperature alone may not be a selective factor but may be selective in combination with other environmental factors.