Seasonal fluctuations of cosmopolitan inversion frequencies in a natural population of Drosophila melanogaster

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The role of fertility restoration in the maintenance of the inversion In(2L)t polymorphism in Drosophila melanogaster

In order to explain the worldwide latitudinal distribution and seasonal fluctuations in In(2L)t frequencies in Drosophila melanogaster, fitness differences among In(2L)t and Standard (ST) homo-and heterokaryotypes under high-temperature conditions were determined. Viabilities were measured for high-temperature treatment started at different juvenile stages. The capacity to restore fertility after high-temperature treatment was measured for adults and juveniles. Furthermore, genetic adaptation for increased temperature resistance for these traits was determined for strains which were reared at 33 degrees C for 10 generations. Whereas larva-pupa survival rates were high, highest juvenile mortalities and strongest karyotypic effects were observed during the pupal stage when preceding larval stages were reared at 33 degrees C. ST karyotypes showed lowest viabilities. Although mating rate was hardly influenced, sterility was induced for females and males after high-temperature treatment of adults as well as juveniles. Subsequent transfer to 25 degrees C, however, resulted in restored fertility in some of the individuals, depending on the length of the recovery period. Fertility restoration was significantly higher for heterokaryotype males and females. Heterokaryotype superiority for restored fertility as well as for viability was positively correlated with severity of the treatment. Tell generations of selection at 33 degrees C resulted in significant improvement of juvenile survival and fertility restoration for all karyotypes. These fitness components were positively correlated (r = 0.91; P <0.001), which might suggest pleiotropic effects. It is concluded that the capacity to restore fertility after heat stress is an important fitness component, especially with respect to the In(2L)r polymorphism The observed heterokaryotypic superiority fits with the idea that the latitudinal distribution of In(2L)t frequencies is maintained by balancing selection, with equilibrium values decreasing with latitude