The Drosophila simulans Y chromosome interacts with the autosomes to influence male fitness

The Y chromosome should degenerate because it cannot recombine. However, male‐limited transmission increases selection efficiency for male‐benefit alleles on the Y, and therefore, Y chromosomes should contribute significantly to variation in male fitness. This means that although the Drosophila Y ch...

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Published inJournal of evolutionary biology Vol. 30; no. 10; pp. 1821 - 1825
Main Authors Archer, C. R., Stephens, R. M., Sharma, M. D., Hosken, D. J.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Switzerland Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.10.2017
Subjects
Animals
Chromosomes
Chromosomes - metabolism
coevolution
Drosophila simulans
Drosophila simulans - genetics
ebony
Epistasis
Fertility
Fitness
Genes
Genetic Fitness - genetics
Insects
Male
Reproductive fitness
Y Chromosome - metabolism
Y chromosomes
Drosophila simulans
ebony
epistasis
coevolution
fertility
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Summary:The Y chromosome should degenerate because it cannot recombine. However, male‐limited transmission increases selection efficiency for male‐benefit alleles on the Y, and therefore, Y chromosomes should contribute significantly to variation in male fitness. This means that although the Drosophila Y chromosome is small and gene‐poor, Y‐linked genes are vital for male fertility in Drosophila melanogaster and the Y chromosome has large male fitness effects. It is unclear whether the same pattern is seen in the closely related Drosophila simulans. We backcrossed Y chromosomes from three geographic locations into five genetic backgrounds and found strong Y and genetic background effects on male fertility. There was a significant Y‐background interaction, indicating substantial epistasis between the Y and autosomal genes affecting male fertility. This supports accumulating evidence that interactions between the Y chromosome and the autosomes are key determinants of male fitness.
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ISSN:1010-061X
1420-9101
DOI:10.1111/jeb.13141