FLUCTUATING ASYMMETRY DOES NOT INCREASE WITH MODERATE INBREEDING IN DROSOPHILA-MELANOGASTER

Fluctuating asymmetry, the unsigned difference between character value s on the left and right sides of an individual, is often thought to be highly correlated with the heterozygosity of individuals or populatio ns. A large sample of Drosophila melanogaster individuals with an inbr eeding coefficient of F = 0.25 was derived from a laboratory populatio n and compared to a sample of outbred individuals for the fluctuating asymmetry of sternopleural bristle number. Inbred flies were not more asymmetric than outbred flies. There was no evidence for heritability of fluctuating asymmetry, as measured by variance among full-sib lines . Fluctuating asymmetry may not be a reliable measure of the degree of inbreeding at the relatively low levels found in most animal populati ons and should be used with caution in the management of endangered sp ecies.