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Genetic control and evolution of sexually dimorphic characters in Drosophila

Author

Listed:
  • Artyom Kopp

    (Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
    Washington University)

  • Ian Duncan

    (Washington University)

  • Sean B. Carroll

    (Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Abstract

Sexually dimorphic abdominal pigmentation and segment morphology evolved recently in the melanogaster species group of the fruitfly Drosophila . Here we show that these traits are controlled by the bric-a-brac (bab) gene, which integrates regulatory inputs from the homeotic and sex-determination pathways. bab expression is modulated segment- and sex-specifically in sexually dimorphic species, but is uniform in sexually monomorphic species. We suggest that bab has an ancestral homeotic function, and that regulatory changes at the bab locus played a key role in the evolution of sexual dimorphism. Pigmentation patterns specified by bab affect mating preferences, suggesting that sexual selection has contributed to the evolution of bab regulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Artyom Kopp & Ian Duncan & Sean B. Carroll, 2000. "Genetic control and evolution of sexually dimorphic characters in Drosophila," Nature, Nature, vol. 408(6812), pages 553-559, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:408:y:2000:i:6812:d:10.1038_35046017
    DOI: 10.1038/35046017
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    Cited by:

    1. Oksana Netschitailo & Yidong Wang & Anna Wagner & Vivien Sommer & Eveline C. Verhulst & Martin Beye, 2023. "The function and evolution of a genetic switch controlling sexually dimorphic eye differentiation in honeybees," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.

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