Genetic variation for host preference within and among populations of Drosophila tripunctata.

Abstract

Drosophila tripunctata is a polyphagous species that breeds in both mushrooms and fruits. Substantial genetic variation for host preference among strains was significant not only for strains from different geographic areas, but also for strains from a population in the Great Smoky Mountains. Variation within D. tripunctata may be a function of its niche breadth and thus maintained by natural selection.-from Authors