Altitudinal and seasonal variation in microsatellite allele frequencies of 'Drosophila buzzatii'

Abstract

Variation in climate, particularly temperature, is known to affect the genetic composition of populations. Although there have been many studies of latitudinal variation, comparisons of populations across altitudes or seasons, particularly for animal species, are less common. Here, we study genetic variation (microsatellite markers) in populations of 'Drosophila buzzatii' collected along altitudinal gradients and in different seasons. We found no differences in genetic variation between 2 years or between seasons within years. However, there were numerous cases of significant associations between allele frequencies or expected heterozygosities and altitude, with more than half showing nonlinear relationships. While these associations indicate possible selection and local altitudinal adaptation, direct tests gave strong evidence for selection affecting two loci and weaker evidence for five other loci. Two loci that are located within an inversion (including the one with strongest evidence for selection) show a linear increase in genetic diversity with altitude, likely due to thermal selection. Parallel associations with altitude here and with latitude in Australian populations indicate that selection is operating on chromosomal regions marked by some of the loci.