The phenotypic plasticity of wing size in Drosophila melanogaster: the cellular basis of its genetic variation

MOED, GH DE; Jong, G. de; Scharloo, W.

doi:10.1038/sj.hdy.6882240

Cited by 13 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Genetically fixed differences in body size (as measured by wing area) in D. melanogaster can be due either to differences in cell number or cell size (Partridge et al 1994;de Moed et al 1997). Our indirect evidence suggests that there are substantial differences in ovarian cell size among the species examined.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Different Mechanisms Underlie Phenotypic Plasticity and Interspecific Variation for a Reproductive Character in Drosophilids (Insecta: Diptera)

Hodin

Riddiford

2000

Evolution

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The insect ovary is a modular structure, the functional unit of which is the ovariole. Ovariole number is positively correlated with potential reproductive output. Among drosophilids (Insecta: Diptera), ovariole number shows both phenotypic plasticity and substantial interspecific and interpopulational variation. Here we examine the mechanistic connection between phenotypic plasticity and genetically fixed variation in ovariole number within the melanogaster species group. When a laboratory population of Drosophila melanogaster was reared under reduced food conditions, differences in ovariole number were entirely due to alterations in cell differentiation during the wandering stage at the very end of larval development. Cell growth and cell death were not affected. When these same flies were reared under a variety of temperatures, ovariole number differences arose during the latter half of the third (final) larval instar. Cell differentiation was affected, although cell number was not, and ovariole number differences were established before metamorphosis. In contrast, genetically fixed, interspecific and interpopulational variability in ovariole number was caused by alterations in the dynamics of cell differentiation and by cell number differences. Furthermore, the stages affected were different in different species and populations in the melanogaster species group, ranging from the first (D. sechellia) through the middle of the third (D. simulans and D. mauritiana) larval stage. Therefore, the mechanistic bases for plasticity-based variability are largely distinct from the mechanistic bases for interspecific and interpopulational variability. Our results suggest that phenotypic plasticity indicates evolutionary flexibility in underlying ontogenetic processes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Different Mechanisms Underlie Phenotypic Plasticity and Interspecific Variation for a Reproductive Character in Drosophilids (Insecta: Diptera)

Hodin

Riddiford

2000

Evolution

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“…Phenotypic plasticity of wing area/thorax length ratio within populations across temperatures occurs in D. melanogaster (De Moed et al ., 1997), and of wing length/thorax length ratio in D. aldrichi and D. buzzatii (Loeschcke et al ., 1999). However, although the width/thorax length ratio differs slightly between the n (w/tl= 0.345) and m (w/tl=0.350) populations, the ratio does not change within either population across the three rearing temperatures (Table 1).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic architecture of a wing size measure in Drosophila hibisci from two populations in eastern Australia

et al. 2000

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Two models of evolutionary change invoke either additive genetic contributions to phenotypic traits (Fisher) or epistatic as well as additive effects (Wright). An earlier study of the flower-breeding Drosophila hibisci from two sites in eastern Australia reported additive and epistatic genetic effects as well as environmental effects on ovariole number. The present study of the same flies examines the genetic architecture of wing width, a trait that is correlated phenotypically with ovariole number and body size. A generation means analysis of flies reared at 25 degrees C indicated additive and epistatic genetic effects, but no consistent maternal effects, whereas for flies reared at three temperatures (18 degrees C, 21.5 degrees C, and 25 degrees C) linear and nonlinear environmental effects interacted with additive genetic effects. The genetic correlation matrix for ovariole number and wing width suggested negative genetic correlations between additive effects on one trait and epistatic effects on the other. Both traits provide evidence of genetic effects consistent with assumptions of Wright's shifting balance theory of evolution.

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“…However, like virtually all other aspects of organismal function, there is considerable variation within and between individuals in these processes. In Drosophila , cell proliferation and cell growth vary across wild-type strains 57, 58 . If in one wild-type genetic background cell proliferation is more important for the final size and shape of the wing, whereas in the other background it is a combination of proliferation and cell growth, then inferences about genetic background effects could be biased.…”

Section: Drawing Inferences About Genetic Background Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does your gene need a background check? How genetic background impacts the analysis of mutations, genes, and evolution

2013

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The premise of genetic analysis is that a causal link exists between phenotypic and allelic variation. Yet it has long been documented that mutant phenotypes are not a simple result of a single DNA lesion, but rather are due to interactions of the focal allele with other genes and the environment. Although an experimentally rigorous approach focused on individual mutations and isogenic control strains has facilitated amazing progress within genetics and related fields, a glimpse back suggests that a vast complexity has been omitted from our current understanding of allelic effects. Armed with traditional genetic analyses and the foundational knowledge they have provided, we argue that the time and tools are ripe to return to the under-explored aspects of gene function and embrace the context-dependent nature of genetic effects. We assert that a broad understanding of genetic effects and the evolutionary dynamics of alleles requires identifying how mutational outcomes depend upon the “wild-type” genetic background. Furthermore, we discuss how best to exploit genetic background effects to broaden genetic research programs.

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The phenotypic plasticity of wing size in Drosophila melanogaster: the cellular basis of its genetic variation

Cited by 13 publications

References 14 publications

Different Mechanisms Underlie Phenotypic Plasticity and Interspecific Variation for a Reproductive Character in Drosophilids (Insecta: Diptera)

Different Mechanisms Underlie Phenotypic Plasticity and Interspecific Variation for a Reproductive Character in Drosophilids (Insecta: Diptera)

Genetic architecture of a wing size measure in Drosophila hibisci from two populations in eastern Australia

Does your gene need a background check? How genetic background impacts the analysis of mutations, genes, and evolution

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