Genetics. Published Articles Ahead of Print: November 1, 2004, Copyright © 2004
doi:10.1534/genetics.104.036988


A more recent version of this article appeared on April 1, 2005.

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Naturally segregating QTL affecting wing shape of Drosophila melanogaster

Jason G Mezey 1*, David Houle 2 and Sergey V Nuzhdin 3

1 University of California, Davis
2 Florida State University
3 University of California Davis

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: jgmezey{at}ucdavis.edu.

Submitted on September 28, 2004
Revised on October 22, 2004
Accepted on 22 October 2004


Abstract

Variation in vein placement and wing shape of Drosophila melanogaster depends on many genes. In the following, we report the results of a QTL analysis of wing shape surveying natural variation in D. melanogaster. The analysis confirms the picture that many loci have the potential to affect vein position and also demonstrates that the number of QTLs segregating in natural populations is likely to be very large. This implies that: (1) the mutation target for wing shape variation that does not dramatically affect functionality of the wing is large and (2) responses to selection on vein placement are likely to involve a large number of QTLs. A comparison among the locations of putative QTLs identified to those of previous studies indicates that there is more correspondence among QTLs then expected by chance on the third chromosome. This indicates these studies may be identifying some of the same QTLs, despite differences in study designs and traits analyzed. To test the hypothesis that QTLs contributing to natural variation for vein position interact with candidate loci involved in the development and placement of vein pairs L3-L4 and L2-L5, we use complementation tests to analyze candidate loci. These candidates are involved in the Hedgehog (Hh) and Decapentaplegic (Dpp) signaling pathways, important determinants of L3-L4 and L2-L5 placement. Three QTLs showed strong interactions with most of the candidates, supporting the hypothesis that these QTLs are involved in these pathways. The complementation tests also revealed unexpected effects of these QTLs, consistent with the hypothesis that epistatic effects among loci can alter which aspects of vein placement are affected by a QTL.

Key Words: Drosophila melanogaster, QTLs, natural variation, wing shape, wing veins




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