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Environmental DDT and the Genetics of Natural Populations

Nature volume 229, pages 128–130 (1971)Cite this article

Abstract

DDT* residues have already been implicated in widespread disruption of various ecosystems1–10. We report here the possibility of their being indirectly responsible for alterations in the genetic content of populations. Our conclusions are based on correlations between chromosomal changes in the fly Drosophila pseudoobscura described over the past 24 years in the western US by Dobzhansky and various collaborators and the distribution patterns of DDT residues we are finding throughout this area. In addition to general geographic correlation, there are several episodes in which these particular genetic effects occurred immediately after DDT application in the particular areas involved.

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Author notes

  1. WILLIAM SERAT: Also with the California State Department of Public Health, Berkeley, California.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, St Mary's College, California, 94575

    LAWRENCE CORY, PER FJELD & WILLIAM SERAT

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  1. LAWRENCE CORY
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CORY, L., FJELD, P. & SERAT, W. Environmental DDT and the Genetics of Natural Populations. Nature 229, 128–130 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/229128a0

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