X- and Y-chromosome linked paternal effects on a life-history trait

Biol Lett. 2012 Feb 23;8(1):71-3. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2011.0608. Epub 2011 Aug 10.

Abstract

Males and females usually invest asymmetrically in offspring. In species lacking parental care, females influence offspring in many ways, while males only contribute genetic material via their sperm. For this reason, maternal effects have long been considered an important source of phenotypic variation, while paternal effects have been presumed to be absent or negligible. The recent surge of studies showing trans-generational epigenetic effects questions this assumption, and indicates that paternal effects may be far more important than previously appreciated. Here, we test for sex-linked paternal effects in Drosophila melanogaster on a life-history trait, and find substantial support for both X- and Y-linked effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Congo
  • Crosses, Genetic
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / genetics*
  • Female
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Inheritance Patterns / genetics
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Ovum / cytology*
  • Species Specificity
  • Survival Analysis
  • United States
  • X Chromosome / genetics*
  • Y Chromosome / genetics*
  • Zimbabwe

Substances

  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins