Patterns of variation in desiccation resistance in a set of recombinant inbred lines in D rosophila melanogaster

Desiccation, resulting from extremely dry environmental conditions, is a serious obstacle to the survival of organisms. Water is vital for the maintenance of intracellular structure and prevents the irreversible formation of aggregates, an occurrence leading to loss of cellular function. To characterize genetic variation in desiccation stress resistance ( DSR ) in Drosophila melanogaster M eigen, an intercontinental set of recombinant inbred lines ( RIL ) is used. Flies are exposed to a low humidity environment (