Selection for increased desiccation resistance in Drosophila melanogaster: Additive genetic control and correlated responses for other stresses

Journal Article · Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1989 · Genetics; (USA)

OSTI ID:5222629

Hoffmann, A A; Parsons, P A ^[1]

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1. La Trobe Univ., Bundoora, Victoria (Australia)

Previously we found that Drosophila melanogaster lines selected for increased desiccation resistance have lowered metabolic rate and behavioral activity levels, and show correlated responses for resistance to starvation and a toxic ethanol level. These results were consistent with a prediction that increased resistance to many environmental stresses may be genetically correlated because of a reduction in metabolic energy expenditure. Here we present experiments on the genetic basis of the selection response and extend the study of correlated responses to other stresses. The response to selection was not sex-specific and involved X-linked and autosomal genes acting additively. Activity differences contributed little to differences in desiccation resistance between selected and control lines. Selected lines had lower metabolic rates than controls in darkness when activity was inhibited. Adults from selected lines showed increased resistance to a heat shock, {sup 60}Co-gamma-radiation, and acute ethanol and acetic acid stress. The desiccation, ethanol and starvation resistance of isofemale lines set up from the F2s of a cross between one of the selected and one of the control lines were correlated. Selected and control lines did not differ in ether-extractable lipid content or in resistance to acetone, ether or a cold shock.

• OSTI ID: 5222629
• Journal Information: Genetics; (USA), Vol. 122:4; ISSN 0016-6731
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
DROSOPHILA
BIOLOGICAL STRESS
ETHANOL
TOXICITY
ACETIC ACID
ACETONE
COBALT 60
ETHERS
FASTING
GAMMA RADIATION
GENES
HEAT
LIPIDS
TOLERANCE
ALCOHOLS
ANIMALS
ARTHROPODS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
COBALT ISOTOPES
DIPTERA
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY
FLIES
FRUIT FLIES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INSECTS
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
INTERNAL CONVERSION RADIOISOTOPES
INVERTEBRATES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
KETONES
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
MONOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS
NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIATIONS
RADIOISOTOPES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOT
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
560152 - Radiation Effects on Animals- Animals