Abstract
In D. melanogaster, there can be detected at least seven amylase bands (isozymes) on agar-gel zymograms. They are called Nos. 1-7 from the anode side (Figure 1). Amylase patterns are specific according to strains. For example, the Amy1 strain shows only one strong amylase band No. 1, whereas the Amy2.6 strain shows two strong bands, Nos. 2 and 6. At present, seven strains with different amylase patterns have been established.
Amylase patterns of these strains are always controlled by a gene or genes linked very closely at locus 78 on the second chromosome. They are probably allelic and co-dominant with one another.
The F1 individuals between any two strains with different amylase patterns, show only mixed bands of the parental patterns, that is, no hybrid band has been detected on the zymogram.
Studies on amylase isozymes may contribute not only to the problem of population genetics of D. melanogaster, but also to the evolutionary history of the genus Drosophila.
