Pupal emergence pattern in cactophilic Drosophila and the effect of host plants

We examined the interspecific differences in diurnal temporal patterns of adult emergence from puparia and evaluated whether this behavior is affected by rearing in the different cactus hosts available in nature. We detected important host ‐dependent genetic variation for this trait differentially affecting the emergence schedule of these species. Diurnal pattern of emergence time was directly correlated with developmental time and negatively correlated with adult wing size, suggesting that early emergences are at least indirectly c orrelated with increased fitness. We discussed our results in terms of their putative effects on fitness and the genetic‐metabolic pathways that would be presumably affected by host's nutritional‐chemical differences.
Source: Insect Science - Category: Biology Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research