ABSTRACT
The life span of samples of the Oregon-R strain of Drosophila melanogaster was observed, every fourth week, during a four-year period. Large variations, most probably non-random, were observed at both 25 and 21 degrees C. The possible causes of these variations have been searched for, yet no definite conclusion can be reached. The implications of these results for Drosaphila quantitative genetic research are stressed.
Subject(s)
Drosophila melanogaster/physiology , Genetic Variation , Animals , Drosophila melanogaster/genetics , Environment , Female , Gene Frequency , Life Expectancy , MaleABSTRACT
It has been suggested that senescence could have evolved by selection of genes with beneficial effects early in life and detrimental ones later in life (pleiotropy theory of the evolution of senescence). To test that theory, the egg production of 322 females of the Oregon strain of Drosophila melanogaster was recorded daily throughout their life. At the individual level, no relation could be detected between early components of fitness and longevity. For the time being it appears that there are no unequivocal reasons to accept the pleiotropy theory of the evolution of senescence.
