Some evidence of incipient speciation in Drosophila kikkawai

Abstract

Altogether 11 geographic populations of Drosophila kikkawai were analysed from the viewpoint of karyotypic variation, inversion polymorphism and sexual isolation. The results revealed that of all the populations, the New Guinea population was the most genetically diverged, characterized by its distinct karyotype, possession of a fixed inversion, and its females exhibiting sexual isolation at the level of preferential mating. Based on these findings it was inferred that incipient speciation has proceeded in D. kikkawai and its New Guinea population is on its way to speciation.Key words: Drosophila kikkawai, karyotype, fixed inversion, sexual isolation, incipient speciation.