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The effect of latitude on genic variability at three loci in Drosophila melanogaster populations from India

Shamina; Ravi Parkash

Genetics Research Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Maharshi Dayanand University, 446/23 (Near Park), D.L.F. Colony, Rohtak, 124001, India. Send correspondence to R.P.

ABSTRACT

Fourteen natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster from India, collected from 9.6 to 33.0^oN latitude, were analysed electrophoretically and the geographical pattern of variation was compared at the polymorphic loci Adh, Odh and Ao. The allele frequency variation demonstrated statistically significant correlation with latitude. The populations revealed extensive clinal variation at all three polymorphic loci, which depicted moderate to higher FST values. Thus, the observed genic divergence in colonising populations of D. melanogaster demonstrates the effect of natural selection along the north-south axis of the Indian sub-continent.

Keywords: genic variability; Drosophila melanogaster.

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