EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON DEVELOPMENTAL ST ABILITY OF SILKWORM (BOMBYX-MORI) STRAINS DIFFERING IN HETEROZYGOSITY LEVEL

A relationship between the developmental stability of silkworm (Bombix mori) and two factors - heterozygosity and temperature - was analyzed . Developmental stability was estimated by the frequency of phenodevia nts and fluctuating asymmetry of wing measurements in three strains di ffering in heterozygosity level. Our data suggest that developmental s tability depends on both these factors. The relationship between devel opmental stability and temperature was similar in all strains. The hig hest stability was recorded at the temperature of about 25 degrees C, which is thus considered optimal. At all temperatures, the level of de velopmental stability increased with heterozygosity. Because of the si milar relationship with temperature and differences between strains wi th different levels of heterozygosity, curves of developmental stabili ty dynamics in relation to temperature were parallel in different stra ins.