Temporal pattern of gene arrangement frequency in altitudinal populations of Drosophila immigrans on Mauna Loa, Hawaii

Abstract

The chromosomal polymorphism of D. immigrans from three different elevations on Mauna Loa, Hawaii was studied from 1971 to 1973. Three inverted gene arrangements in the second chromosome were common at most times of these years. The frequencies of arrangement A in the left arm of this chromosome showed a "spring-summer-winter" pattern of seasonal change in 1973 when collections were made almost monthly, but the other two arrangements in the right arm showed no perceptible changes. The A arrangement also showed significant altitudinal variation. in frequency in 1971. The frequency pattern of gene arrangement A was correlated with dry condition of the environment.