ABSTRACT
The Drosophila melanogaster P-transposable element is an example of mobile DNA transferred horizontally and known to have spread globally over the last 50-60 years. In Drosophila, the P-element causes a syndrome known as 'P-M hybrid dysgenesis' that obstructs normal ovary development in the female progeny of susceptible populations. Despite extensive research, the stability and global population dynamics of P-M dysgenic phenotypes remain poorly understood. Here, we report a recent and rapid transition in the P-M status of D. melanogaster populations from Ukraine. We demonstrate that these populations are currently dominated by the P'-cytotype characterized by active genomic P-elements and unknown from Ukraine just two decades ago. Our results suggest a recent invasion of the P-element in Ukraine, a pattern that matches recent discoveries from Turkey.
Subject(s)
DNA Transposable Elements , Drosophila melanogaster/genetics , Animals , Fertility/genetics , Genetics, Population , Hybridization, Genetic , Phenotype , UkraineABSTRACT
Spontaneous mutations are thought to have a stable rate for a given species. If non-adaptive, they appear at low frequencies and are governed by drift. However, environmental factors have been reported to cause spread of non-adaptive mutations in populations, governed by mechanisms, such as genetic assimilation. In the present study, we report a simultaneous appearance of a mutant and apparently non-adaptive C2 vein in Drosophila melanogaster at higher than expected frequencies in several distant populations, which excludes the role of drift or selection as the cause of the reported mutation frequencies. We discuss explanations of the phenomenon, including the role of externalfactors, such as temperature, in the possible genetic assimilation of the trait.
Subject(s)
Drosophila melanogaster/anatomy & histology , Drosophila melanogaster/genetics , Genetic Drift , Mutation , Selection, Genetic , Adaptation, Physiological/genetics , Animals , Drosophila melanogaster/growth & development , Ukraine , Wings, Animal/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
The dynamics of allele frequency of the carboxiesterase gene, the frequency of sex-linked lethal mutations, and recombination events in natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster from Odesa were studied. All studied estimates were shown to remain unchanged in June, July, and August during the 2009 collection season.
