Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-xxrs7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-29T07:09:30.470Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Some approaches to the question of Drosophila laterality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 April 2009

Lee Ehrman
Affiliation:
Division of Natural Sciences, State University of New York, College at Purchase, Purchase, N.Y. 10577, U.S.A.
James N. Thompson Jr
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, U.S.A.
Ira Perelle
Affiliation:
Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. 10522, U.S.A.
Brent N. Hisey
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, U.S.A.
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The question of Drosophila laterality has been investigated in two species and in several strains by attempting to modify degrees of laterality (wing folding and directional choices in mazes) via selection and by ascertaining individual courtship behaviour preferences (circling, foreleg tapping, and wing extending). The results of courtship studies in D. paulistorum strains and in D. melanogaster indicate that, although individual members of a strain may be entirely right or left dominant, the majority of individuals are ambidextrous. As a group, there was no preference for right or left behaviours, and laterality was not a factor in success of courtship. The absence of lateral preference in courtship is consistent with the failure to demonstrate any genetic component for D. melanogaster left and right wing folding and maze behaviours.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1978

References

REFERENCES

Beardmore, J. A. (1965). A genetic basis for lateral bias. Symposium on the Mutational Process, Prague. Mutation in Poptdations, 7583.Google Scholar
Cole, J. (1955). Paw preference in cats related to hand preference in animals and man. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology 48, 137140.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dimond, S. J. & Beaumont, J. G. (eds) (1974). Hemisphere Functions in the Human Brain. New York: Halstead.Google Scholar
Ehrman, L. (1971). Natural selection for the origin of reproductive isolation. American Naturalist 105, 479483.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ehrman, L. (1973). More on natural selection for the origin of reproductive isolation. American Naturalist 107, 318319.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ehrman, L. (1978). Still more on natural selection for the origin of reproductive isolation. American Naturalist. (In the Press.)Google Scholar
Ehrman, L. & Parsons, P. A. (1976). The Genetics of Behavior. Sunderland, Mass.: Sinauer Associates, Inc.Google Scholar
Ehrman, L. & Strickberger, M. W. (1960). Flies mating: a pictorial record. Natural History 69, 2833.Google Scholar
Falconer, D. S. (1960). Introduction to Quantitative Genetics. London: Oliver & Boyd.Google Scholar
Harnard, S., Doty, R. W., Goldstein, L., Jaynes, J. & Krauthamer, G. (1977). Lateralization in the Nervous System. New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Hay, D. A. & Crossley, A. (1977). Design of mazes to study Drosophila behavior. Behavior Genetics 7, 389402.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Koref-Santibanez, S. (1972 a). Courtship behavior in the semispecies of the superspecies Drosophila paulistorum. Evolution 26, 108115.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Koref-Santibanez, S. (1972 b). Courtship interaction in the semispecies of Drosophila paulistorum. Evolution 26, 326333.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lang, F., Govind, C. K., Costello, W. J. & Greene, S. I. (1977). Changes in escape and defensive behavior during growth of the lobster. Science 197, 682684.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Manowitz, W. (1977). Effects of practice on manual dexterity. Unpublished thesis: SUNY College at Purchase (N.Y.) Library.Google Scholar
Murphey, R. M. (1969). Spatial discrimination performance of Drosophila melanogaster: some controlled and uncontrolled correlates. Animal Behaviour 17, 4346.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Murphey, R. M. (1973). Spatial discrimination performance of Drosophila melanogaster: test-retest assessments and a reinterpretation. Animal Behaviour 21, 687690.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Purnell, D. J. & Thompson, J. N. Jr (1973). Selection for asymmetrical bias in a behavioural character of Drosophila melanogaster. Heredity 31, 401405.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reeve, E. C. R. (1960). Some genetic tests on asymmetry of sternopleural chaeta number in Drosophila. Genetical Research 1, 151172.CrossRefGoogle Scholar