An allele-specific suppressor of White-coral in Drosophila melanogaster

Summary A new allele of white-coral ( w co2 ) was isolated from Canton S after mutagenesis. Many common laboratory stocks were found to carry a suppressor gene ( Su ( w co2 )) which alters the phenotype of w co2 flies toward wild-type. The Su ( w co2 ) is allele-specific (it does not suppress w co ), dominant, homozygous viable, located near Su ( bw v1 ) on the right arm of chromosome 2, and shows a simple gene-dosage effect. The degree of suppression is sensitive to the genetic background. There appears to be selection for Su ( w co2 ) in a genotype where it does not affect eye pigmentation.