| Abstract: | Every population possesses genetic variations which are achieved through gene mutation, genetic recombination, hybridization, gene duplication etc. These genetic variations provide raw materials for evolutionary forces to create a better surviving species. Genetic polymorphism is reflected at every level in the populations, for example, at phenotypic, chromosomal, protein and DNA levels. Protein or enzyme polymorphisms have been well studied in various organisms including Drosophila and humans. Drosophila has proven to be a good model organism for carrying out polymorphism studies. Among the different species of Drosophila, there is a wide variation in the levels of allozyme polymorphisms and heterozygosities which depends upon species, geographical regions, number and nature of loci in question etc. In Drosophila, the average polymorphic enzyme loci and average heterozygosity ranges from 35 to 70 percent and 10 to 20 percent respectively. The genetic differentiation as observed through allozyme or isozyme variation affords an important parameter in evaluating the phylogenetic relationships between different species of Drosophila and also for discussing the adaptive significance of allozyme polymorphisms. Therefore, this review attempts to compile all studies on allozyme polymorphism in Drosophila that have been undertaken so far. |
