A Reevaluation of Data from Competitive Tests Shows High Levels of Heterosis in Drosophila Melanogaster |
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Authors: | BDH Latter and J A Sved |
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Institution: | Present address: 43 Camerons Road, McLeans Ridges, Lismore 2480, Australia. |
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Abstract: | We have analyzed the results from a range of procedures designed to measure the fitness under competitive conditions of inbred strains of Drosophila melanogaster, specifically strains which are homozygous for chromosome 2. All methods show a substantial reduction in fitness, ranging from an estimated 70-80% for single generation competition tests to 80-90% for a multiple generation population cage procedure. Furthermore, inbreeding through brother-sister mating reduces fitness by a comparable amount when allowance is made for the expected degree of homozygosity. |
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