Crb. Boake et L. Konigsberg, INHERITANCE OF MALE COURTSHIP BEHAVIOR, AGGRESSIVE SUCCESS, AND BODY-SIZE IN DROSOPHILA-SILVESTRIS, Evolution, 52(5), 1998, pp. 1487-1492
We describe a combined phenotypic and quantitative genetic investigati
on of the traits that may contribute to reproductive success in the pi
cture-winged fly, Drosophila silvestris. These were courtship behavior
, aggressive success, and body size and shape. Behavioral tests were c
onducted on wild-caught sires and their laboratory-reared sons. Neithe
r size, shape, nor aggressive success predicted mating success. In bot
h generations, males that spent more time courting and in wing-vibrati
on were more likely to mate. However, components of courtship, overall
aggressive success, and overall mating success had very low and nonsi
gnificant heritabilities. The genetic estimates did not depend on whet
her they were based on males reared in both environments or reared onl
y in the laboratory.