Non-random Distribution of Heterozygous Inversions in a Natural Population of Drosophila malerkotliana

Abstract

Drosophila malerkotliana is one of the members of the Drosophila bipectinata species complex. It has been moderately analyzed for its genetic characteristics, especially for the purpose of phylogenetic relationships with other species of this complex. It is chromosomally polymorphic due to the presence of paracentric inversions. In this article, the chromosomal polymorphism of a natural population, sampled from Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh) has been reported. More than five hundred third instar larvae were randomly selected and sacrificed to prepare their salivary gland chromosomes to observe the presence of commonly as well as rarely occurring inversions in this population. The data obtained indicate that the mean number of heterozygous inversions per individual in this population is 0.603 denoting very high level of genetic variation. The frequency of occurrence of all the observed inversions in this population has been depicted. Further, it has been observed that these inversions occur in nonrandom distribution.

Impact of environmental stress on biochemical profile and fitness traits in Drosophila malerkotliana

“…Among the Drosophila species that occur most commonly in the Indian subcontinent, this species is highly prevalent. A large number of studieshave been conducted in D. malerkotliana related to inversion and allozyme polymorphisms to observe genetic characteristics of its populations (Parkash& Gill, 1980;Singh, 2019;Singh & Singh, 2020;2022;Trehan& Gill, 1985;1986;.Due to its differential distribution between the northern and southern parts of our country, environmental factors, especially temperature fluctuations, are thought to play a role in that distribution (Singh, 2019;Singh & Singh, 2001). In a study conducted by Singh & Singh (2022), it has been found that the level ofheterozygosity increases from north India to south India.In one of the studies, Singh & Singh (2020) haveshown that there exists high level of genetic variation (0.603) in the same population (being used for this experiment).…”