Temporal frequency stability and absence of effects on mating behaviour for an autosomal supernumerary segment in two natural populations of the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans.

Interannual evolution of a polymorphism for a supernumerary segment in the smallest autosome of the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans has been analysed in two natural populations. The polymorphism seemed to be stable in both populations, despite its undertransmission through heterozygous females carrying B chromosomes. Analyses of the effects of the extra segment on mating behaviour failed to show differential mating success in any sex or consistent effects on mating pattern. These results are discussed in relation to the maintenance of this polymorphism in natural populations.