Multiple quantitative trait loci influence intra-specific variation in genital morphology between phylogenetically distinct lines of Drosophila montana

M. A. Schaefer, J. Routtu, J. Vieira, A. Hoikkala, M. G. Ritchie, C. Schloetterer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The evolution of animal genitalia has gained renewed interest because of their potential roles during sexual selection and early stages of species formation. Although central to understanding the evolutionary process, knowledge of the genetic basis of natural variation in genital morphology is limited to a very few species. Using an outbred cross between phylogenetically distinct lines of Drosophila montana, we characterized quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting the size and shape of the distiphallus, a prominent part of the male intromittent organ. Our microsatellite-based linkage analysis shows that intra-specific variation in the distiphallus involves several QTLs of largely additive effect and that a highly significant QTL co-localizes with the same inversion where we have earlier localized a large QTL for a sexually selected courtship song trait. The latter indicates that inversions can play an important role in shaping the evolution of rapidly evolving traits with a potential influence on speciation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1879-1886
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Evolutionary Biology
Volume24
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2011

Keywords

  • chromosomal rearrangements
  • courtship
  • inversions
  • mate choice
  • pleiotropy
  • sexual selection
  • speciation
  • SEXUAL SELECTION
  • ANIMAL GENITALIA
  • GENETIC-ANALYSIS
  • REPRODUCTIVE ISOLATION
  • SHAPE DIFFERENCE
  • COURTSHIP SONG
  • EVOLUTION
  • SPECIATION
  • SIMULANS
  • RECOMBINATION

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