Genetic studies on walking behavior in Drosophila melanogaster. I. Selection and hybridization analysis.

Rapid vs. slow types of walking behavior in Drosophila melanogaster were tested in response to light in a connected test-tube apparatus. The effect of selection for both types of behavior was clearly recognized after only a few generation. The heritability of the two traits of walking behavior was remarkably different; the former was estimated to be about 7%, the latter 26%. Walking behavior is possibly controlled by a major gene with the behavior manifesting slow response to light being dominant to that manifesting rapid walking behavior.