Genetics of a pheromonal difference contributing to reproductive isolation in Drosophila

Although sexual isolation is one of the most important causes of speciation, its genetic basis is largely unknown. Here evidence is presented that suggests that sexual isolation between two closely related species of Drosophila is largely caused by differences in female cuticular hydrocarbons. This...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1994-09, Vol.265 (5177), p.1461-1464
Main Authors: Coyne, J.A, Crittenden, A.P, Mah, K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
7,11-heptacosadiene
7-pentacosene
7-tricosene
Animal ethology
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Biological Evolution
Chromosome Mapping
Chromosomes
Courtship
courtship behavior
Crosses, Genetic
cuticle
Diptera
Drosophila
Drosophila - genetics
Drosophila - physiology
Drosophila sechellia
Drosophila simulans
Drosophilidae
Evolution
Evolutionary genetics
Female
Female animals
females
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
gene location
genes
Genes, Insect
Genetic aspects
Genetic Markers
Hybridity
Hydrocarbons
Invertebrates
Isolating mechanisms
Male
Male animals
Mating behavior
mating preferences
Pheromones - analysis
Pheromones - genetics
Pheromones - physiology
Protozoa. Invertebrata
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Reproduction
Reproductive isolating mechanisms
sex pheromones
Species Specificity
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Summary:Although sexual isolation is one of the most important causes of speciation, its genetic basis is largely unknown. Here evidence is presented that suggests that sexual isolation between two closely related species of Drosophila is largely caused by differences in female cuticular hydrocarbons. This difference maps to only one of the three major chromosomes, implying that reproductive isolation might have a fairly simple genetic basis. The effect of the hydrocarbons on courtship may help explain the ubiquitous asymmetry of sexual isolation between many pairs of Drosophila species.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.8073292