Genetic constraint on the evolution of courtship behaviour in drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

A quantitative genetic analysis of male courtship behavior in Drosphila melanogaster was carried out. Heritabilities and genetic correlations were calculated from data collected from 330 father-son combinations. Only copulation duration had a heritability significantly different from zero. Copulation duration and fertility were related by a significant positive genetic correlation. A highly significant negative genetic correlation of copulation duration with courtship vigor (towards a virgin female) is possibly responsible for constraining further evolution of copulation duration in this population. It is noteworthy that genetic correlations between traits with low heritabilities were not detectable; practical and theoretical considerations concerning genetic correlations between traits with low heritabilities are discussed. © 1987, The Genetical Society of Great Britain.