The genetic basis of diurnal preference in Drosophila melanogaster

Most animals restrict their activity to specific part of the day, being either diurnal, nocturnal, or crepuscular. The genetic basis underlying this diurnal preference is largely unknown. Under laboratory conditions, Drosophila melanogaster is crepuscular, showing a bi-modal activity profile. However, recent experiments in our lab indicated that high variability among individuals exist, particularly in strains that derive from different wild populations. By assembling together flies from various geographical strains, we have generated a highly diverse population whose progeny exhibited extreme diurnal preference, including diurnal and nocturnal flies. We have used this population as a starting point for an artificial selection experiment in which we selected males that show the most extreme diurnal preference and mated them to their sisters. The response to selection was strong, and already after 10 selection cycles we obtained highly diurnal (D) and nocturnal (N) strains. Another strain that was not selected and showed intermediate behaviour (crepuscular) served as a control (C). These strains provide us with a unique opportunity to understand the genetics of diurnal preference. Overall design: 3 lines: Nocturnal (NDN), Diurnal (RLD) and control intermidiate (PJN). Sample collected at ZT0 and 12. Each sample has 2 replicates (A,B). Total single end libraries 12.