GENETIC VARIABILITY AT THE ESTERASE-6 LOCUS IN NATURAL POPULATIONS OF DROSOPHILA SIMULANS IN RELATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL HETEROGENEITY

Cleide M. R. De Albuquerque and Marly Napp

The allozymic variation at the esterase-6 locus was examined in fourteen samples of natural populations of Drosophila simulans collected in two different localities. The samples were collected from different species of fruits in the two localities and from banana baits located some meters apart from the fruits. The analysis was done by sequential electrophoresis, using varied gel concentrations and buffers. By this technique, we detected 27 alleles at the esterase-6 locus, where only five alleles were detected by the usual method. The results obtained suggest that habitat choice alone may not be a selective factor, but may be selective in combination with other environmental factors.