Polymorphism of the Drosophila melanogaster — sigma virus system

In natural populations of D. melanogaster, a minority of flies are usually infected by the sigma Rhabdovirus, which is not contagious but vertically transmitted. A few parameters have been identified that affect the evolution of the Drosophila — sigma system. Various sets of values of these parameters in males mutually adapted to one another have been established in different populations. This study analyses female characteristics that were previously reputed not to vary much between populations. The newly collected data show that these characteristics (mainly transovarial transmission here) may also be polymorphic in the wild, and may contribute to the diversity of equilibria established between the virus and its host. The observations presented here, obtained from various populations, confirm the complexity of this system of two coevolving organisms: as already noted there seem to be as many different sets of values of parameters as there are populations.