Starvation resistance in Drosophila melanogaster in relation to the polymorphisms at the Adh and αGpdh loci

Abstract

In view of the world-wide latitudinal cline of the Adh and αGpdh allozyme frequencies of Drosophila melanogaster and the interactions between these loci, experiments were performed to study the phenotypic effects of these loci. Starvation resistance, oxygen consumption, body weight, protein content and triglycerides content were measured in flies with all possible combinations of Adh and αGpdh alleles. Genotypic differences were found for survival time under food deprivation, body weight, protein content and triglycerides content. Oxygen consumption did not differ significantly between genotypes. A significant positive correlation was observed between triglycerides content and starvation resistance. Body weight, protein content and triglycerides content decreased significantly during starvation but no rate differences between genotypes could be found. It is argued that genotypic differences in starvation resistance and triglycerides content can play a role in the maintenance of the world-wide cline of Adh and αGpdh allele frequencies. © 1994.