An estimate of heterosis inDrosophila melanogaster

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Twenty-five population cages ofD. melanogasterwere set up, each containing a different wild-type second chromosome and the marker chromosomeCy. In all but one case where contamination apparently occurred, theCychromosome persisted in the population at high frequency, showing a selective advantage ofCy/ + heterozygotes over wild-type homozygotes. Overall, the results indicate that homozygosity of the entire second chromosome causes a depression in fitness of the order of 85%.