Investigation of Natural Genetic Variation in the Circadian System of Drosophila melanogaster. II. Biometrical Analyses of Locomotor Activity Rhythms Recorded in Constant Darkness

Abstract

The locomotor activity rhythms of 24 isochromosomal strains of Drosophila melanogaster were recorded in constant conditions, using an experimental design suitable for the serial screening with so many strains using limited equipment. The data obtained were subjected to biometrical genetic analysis. The results show that four characteristics of the rhythms (period, phase, definition, and waveform) display genetically based variation in expression and that each appears to be affected by a range of genes.

Key Words:

• Drosophila
• Rhythms
• Variation
• Biometrical analysis