Coyne J A, Crittenden A P, Mah K
Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, IL 60637.
Science. 1994 Sep 2;265(5177):1461-4. doi: 10.1126/science.8073292.
Although sexual isolation is one of the most important causes of speciation, its genetic basis is largely unknown. Here evidence is presented that suggests that sexual isolation between two closely related species of Drosophila is largely caused by differences in female cuticular hydrocarbons. This difference maps to only one of the three major chromosomes, implying that reproductive isolation might have a fairly simple genetic basis. The effect of the hydrocarbons on courtship may help explain the ubiquitous asymmetry of sexual isolation between many pairs of Drosophila species.
虽然性隔离是物种形成的最重要原因之一，但其遗传基础在很大程度上尚不清楚。本文提供的证据表明，果蝇两个亲缘关系密切的物种之间的性隔离很大程度上是由雌性表皮碳氢化合物的差异引起的。这种差异仅映射到三条主要染色体中的一条，这意味着生殖隔离可能具有相当简单的遗传基础。碳氢化合物对求偶行为的影响可能有助于解释许多果蝇物种对之间普遍存在的性隔离不对称现象。
