Dmer\wRE is a loss-of-function white allele that arose as a spontaneous mutation in a Drosophila mercatorum parthenogenetic strain given to us by Alan Templeton. The Templeton parental strain was one of four isofemale lines with high rates of parthenogenesis ("hot lines") that Templeton established from Hawaiian natural populations. The wRE parental strain was probably the "hot line" with the highest rate of parthenogenesis.