Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026
09:34
Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila
Published on: August 22, 2013
Geographic variation in competitive ability in Drosophila melanogaster
1Department of Biology, Galton Laboratory, University College London, London NW1 2HE, United Kingdom.
The American Naturalist
|September 25, 2008
Summary
Drosophila melanogaster from Tasmania showed greater sensitivity to temperature and density than Queensland flies, impacting their body size. This suggests adaptation to lower temperatures may drive larger body size and growth efficiency in these fruit flies.
Area of Science:
- * Evolutionary Biology
- * Ecology
- * Animal Physiology
Background:
- * Drosophila melanogaster populations exhibit genetic variation in size and development rates.
- * Latitudinal differences in environmental factors like temperature and density can influence insect populations.
- * Preadult competitive ability is a key factor in insect population dynamics and adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate latitudinal variation in the preadult competitive ability of Drosophila melanogaster.
- * To compare the effects of temperature and larval density on survival and body size in different populations.
- * To understand the adaptive significance of body size and growth efficiency in relation to environmental conditions.
Main Methods:
- * Comparison of two pairs of Drosophila melanogaster populations from Queensland and Tasmania, Australia.
- * Larval competition experiments were conducted under varying temperature and density conditions.
- * Measurement of larval survival and adult body size (wing length) as indicators of competitive ability.
Main Results:
- * No significant latitudinal variation was observed in larval survival rates.
- * Adult body size (wing length) decreased with increasing temperature and larval density across all populations.
- * Tasmanian populations exhibited greater sensitivity to the combined effects of increased temperature and density compared to Queensland populations.
Conclusions:
- * Latitudinal variation in Drosophila melanogaster preadult competitive ability is influenced by differential sensitivity to environmental stressors.
- * The observed sensitivity differences may explain the evolution of larger body size and enhanced growth efficiency at lower temperatures in Tasmanian populations.
- * Environmental factors play a crucial role in shaping the adaptive strategies of insect populations across different latitudes.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:32Position-effect Variegation
In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.
02:27Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...