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.