JOURNAL ARTICLE

Frequencies of house fly proto-Y chromosomes across populations are predicted by temperature heterogeneity within populations.

  • Published In: Journal of Heredity, 2025, v. 116, n. 3. P. 208 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Foy, Patrick D; Loetzerich, Sara R; Boxler, David; Burgess, Edwin R; Fryxell, R T Trout; Gerry, Alec C; Hinkle, Nancy C; Machtinger, Erika T; Olds, Cassandra; Tarone, Aaron M; Watson, Wes; Scott, Jeffrey G; Meisel, Richard P 3 of 3

Abstract

This article focuses on the multifactorial sex determination system in the house fly (Musca domestica) and how climatic variables influence the frequencies of its proto-sex chromosomes across North American populations. The study confirms a latitudinal cline of male-determining proto-Y chromosomes (YM and IIIM) along the eastern U.S. coast but finds that temperature heterogeneity, specifically the annual mean daily temperature range, better predicts proto-Y chromosome frequencies continent-wide. Additionally, the recently derived female-determining proto-W chromosome (Md-traD) correlates with the presence of males carrying multiple male-determining chromosomes, suggesting selection for balanced sex ratios. These findings support the role of ecological factors, particularly temperature variation, in shaping the distribution and evolution of sex chromosomes in house flies.

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of Heredity. 2025/05, Vol. 116, Issue 3, p208
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Zoology
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0022-1503
  • DOI:10.1093/jhered/esae056
  • Accession Number:186054072
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