The stability of the specific-mate recognition system ofDrosophila melanogaster

The present data illustrate an important characteristic of the mate recognition system of individuals ofDrosophila melanogaster. This system showed a high degree of stability, and the stability occurred even though the populations under investigation were divergent in other characteristics. We review the results of other studies of this type, discuss our results in terms of the general characteristics of specific-mate recognition systems, and account for its stability in terms of the structure of the communication system.Publication No. 15 Evolutionary Genetics Laboratory, University of Auckland.