Genetics of Larval Heart Rate in Drosophila melanogaster

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

2006

Disciplines

Biology | Life Sciences

Advisor

Rodell, Biology

Abstract

In order to assess the genetic influence of larval heart rate in Drosophila, I have examined the characteristic mean heart rates of five strains, analyzed the outcomes of all possible interstrain crosses, and estimated heritability of heart rate in specific parent-offspring relationships. I show that significant differences that exist among strains and that larval rates of offspring have evidence of maternal, dominant, and additive genetic effects. I further show that heritability is positive for each strain. Based on these results, I assert that there are several types of genetic effects influencing inheritance of heart rate in natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster and that there exists significant genetic variability of this character.

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