New results on the genetic characteristics of the Far East race of Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract
SUMMARY: Recently collected strains from Malay peninsula, Taïwan and Japan proved to be similar to previously studied Japanese strains kept for long time under laboratory conditions. It is therefore possible to speak of a Far East race, characterized by slow growth, very high fresh weight and small ovariole number. High heterogeneity between laboratory strains founded from wild caught flies seems also typical. Among the three traits studied, a positive genetic correlation was observed only between duration of development and adult weight. No correlations were found between biometrical traits and the latitude of strain origin. The problem of the origin of the Far East race is discussed.