Genetic validation of aDrosophila learning task

Summary 4 inbred strains ofDrosophila melanogaster and crosses between them were tested in 2 types of multiple-choice T-maze. It is suggested that genetic analysis can distinguish learning from other behaviours implicated in maze performance. Directional dominance for high performance, which is characteristic of learning in many species, was found only for those aspects of behaviour previously hypothesised as involving learning.