Action of natural selection in lines of Drosophila selected for a new level of canalization

Summary Four lines of Drosophila melanogaster previously selected for a stabilized phenotype of two extra dorsocentral bristles were examined for 20 generations of canalizing selection and relaxation of selection. A substantial frequency of flies with either two anterior or two posterior extra bristles was maintained in the relaxed lines. These patterns were the only ones tolerated by natural selection, i.e., the only symmetric ones. It was concluded that anterior and posterior dorsocentral bristles are two independent development structures, and the results are discussed in relation to two proposed genetic systems for bristle determination.