GENETIC STUDIES ON WALKING BEHAVIOR IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER I. SELECTION AND HYBRIDIZATION ANALYSIS

Abstract

Rapid vs. slow types of walking behavior in Drosophila melanogaster were tested in response to light in a connected test-tube apparatus. The effect of selection for both types of behavior was clearly recognized after only a few generations. The heritability of the two traits of walking behavior was remarkably different; the former was estimated to be about 7%, the latter 26%. Walking behavior is possibly controlled by a major gene with the behaviour manifesting slow response to light being dominant to that manifesting rapid walking behavior.