Geographical variation in Adh(F) and alcoholic resource utilization in Indian populations of Drosophila melanogaster

Indian geographical populations of Drosophila melanogaster, collected at la titude 10-32.3 degrees N, Longitude 76.1-80.1 degrees E and altitude 16-205 0 m, were analysed For changes in Adh(F) frequency and utilization potentia l of diverse alcoholic resources. Until now there hal e been limited data o n climatic association of correlated changes on these aspects m continental populations of D. melanogaster. Indian populations demonstrate an increase in Adh(F) frequency by 0.04 per degree latitude and significantly higher u tilization of ethanol (9.0-15.2%) acetic acid (8.1-12.5%), n-propanol (2.55 -4.25%), 2-propanol (1.5-3.5%), n-butanol (2.15-3.5%) and 2-butanol (0.68-1 .2%). Data also revealed significant correlation with latitude as well as a ltitude. Regression analysis of climatic data from collection sites confirm ed the observed clinal variation of Adh(F) as well as alcoholic utilization in D. melanogaster On the Indian subcontinent, variation in Adh(F) frequen cy and alcoholic resource utilization along increasing Latitude as well as altitude are due to climatic selection factors such as temperature and rain fall. (C) 1999 The Linnean Society of London.