An Evaluation of an Experimental Model for Sympatric Speciation
Gene Drift — Possible Explanation of the Variability
Gene Drift — Possible Explanation of the Variability
These differences between the two strains could be explained in terms of the effect of inbreeding and gene drift on the flies. With the very heavy selection pressures employed, it is quite conceivable that very low numbers of the total population actually form the parents of the next generation. Since any one female can lay up to 150 eggs at a time (West, 1951) it is quite possible that all the eggs correctly selected in one day for one strain could have come from either one or very few flies.