Mating Speed in Male Drosophilia Silvestris

Abstract

A diallel analysis of mating speed as measured by the copulation frequency of male Drosophila silvestris revealed strong directional dominance for high frequency involving a minimum of five genes. The trait as measured is highly correlated with sexual drive and fitness. Consequences for artificial selection and the nature of the heterosis displayed by the crosses are discussed. High copulation frequency of the male is probably the result of unidirectional natural selection.