Genetic differentiation in populations of Drosophila melanogaster from the Peoples' Republic of China: comparison with patterns on other continents.

Geographic variation at eight allozyme loci in eight natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster from the People's Republic of China (P.R.C.) was collated with data from Japanese populations and compared with previous reports for other continents. G6pdF, Est-6(1.00) and AdhS were significantly correlated with latitude. Whilst the variation in Est6(1.00) was opposite to that previously reported, AdhS showed latitudinal clines consistent with data from the northern and southern hemispheres. A thermostable variant, AdhFChD, was found at high frequency in the southern P.R.C. populations and it is suggested that the mutation occurred in this region and was then dispersed to other continents.