Genetic variability of courtship song in a population of Drosophila melanogaster

1994 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 425-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael G. Ritchie ◽  
Charalambos P. Kyriacou
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Genetic Variability ◽  
Courtship Song

scholarly journals Neural Changes Underlying Rapid Fly Song Evolution

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Ding ◽  
Joshua L. Lillvis ◽  
Jessica Cande ◽  
Gordon J. Berman ◽  
Benjamin J. Arthur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Experimental Approach ◽  
Neural Circuits ◽  
Neural Circuitry ◽  
Courtship Song ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
Electrophysiological Properties ◽  
Song Types ◽  
Behavioural Diversity

AbstractThe neural basis for behavioural evolution is poorly understood. Functional comparisons of homologous neurons may reveal how neural circuitry contributes to behavioural evolution, but homologous neurons cannot be identified and manipulated in most taxa. Here, we compare the function of homologous courtship song neurons by exporting neurogenetic reagents that label identified neurons in Drosophila melanogaster to D. yakuba. We found a conserved role for a cluster of brain neurons that establish a persistent courtship state. In contrast, a descending neuron with conserved electrophysiological properties drives different song types in each species. Our results suggest that song evolved, in part, due to changes in the neural circuitry downstream of this descending neuron. This experimental approach can be generalized to other neural circuits and therefore provides an experimental framework for studying how the nervous system has evolved to generate behavioural diversity.

scholarly journals Genetic study of motor functions in Drosophila melanogaster

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey A Fedotov ◽  
Julia V Bragina ◽  
Nataliya G Besedina ◽  
Larisa V Danilenkova ◽  
Elena A Kamysheva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Motor Activity ◽  
Genomic Dna ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Central Pattern Generators ◽  
Courtship Song ◽  
P Element ◽  
Rhythmic Motor ◽  
Pattern Generators ◽  
First Time

To investigate molecular mechanisms of central pattern generators (CPG s) functioning, we carried out a screening of collection of Drosophila P-insertional mutants for strong deviations in locomotion and courtship song. In 21 mutants, the site of the P-insertion was localized by sequencing of the fragments of genomic DNA flanking the P-element. Bioinformational analysis revealed a list of candidate genes, potential players in development and functioning of CPG s. Possible involvement of certain identified genes in rhythmic motor activity is suggested for the first time (CG15630, Map205).

Venation Polymorphism and Genetic Variability in Drosophila melanogaster Loew

Science ◽  
1960 ◽  
Vol 132 (3440) ◽  
pp. 1652-1652
Author(s):  
J. Bennett ◽  
R. L. Capek ◽  
T. R. Kallstedt ◽  
R. E. Moisand ◽  
R. Milkman
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Genetic Variability

Courtship song in Drosophila melanogaster: a differential effect on male–female locomotor activity

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (8) ◽  
pp. 1258-1266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solange Kowalski ◽  
Thierry Aubin ◽  
Jean-René Martin
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Species Recognition ◽  
Courtship Song ◽  
Video Tracking ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Sexual Stimulation ◽  
Video Tracking System ◽  
Accurate Quantification

The courtship song of male Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830 is involved in species recognition and sexual stimulation. This signal is usually addressed to the female to reduce her locomotor activity, thereby facilitating copulation. However, no accurate quantification of her locomotion has been made. To examine the effect of courtship song on locomotor behaviour of both sexes, we used a video-tracking system that allowed for the quantification of two indicators of activity level: distance moved and movement duration. First, we showed that the broadcast of the courtship song alone produced no effect on female locomotion. Females reduced their locomotor activity only when acoustical stimulation was placed in a natural courtship context (i.e., in the presence of a male). This suggests that the sum of visual, tactile, acoustic, and chemical stimuli provided by the male may act together to trigger female receptivity. Second, our playback experiments showed a strong stimulating effect of courtship song (particularly of the pulse component) on the locomotor activity of isolated males, suggesting that this signal probably plays a role in male stimulation. Courtship song has an opposite effect on male/female locomotor activity in D. melanogaster.

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