Commensal bacteria play a role in mating preference of Drosophila melanogaster

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary biology
• Microbiology
• Behavioral ecology

Background:

• Mating preference is crucial for speciation.
• The role of symbiotic microbes in host mating behavior is increasingly recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of microbiota in the development of mating preference in Drosophila melanogaster.
• To determine if diet-induced changes in microbiota can lead to reproductive isolation.

Main Methods:

• Drosophila melanogaster populations were reared on distinct media (molasses vs. starch).
• Mating preference was assessed after isolating populations.
• Antibiotic treatments and microbiota transplantation experiments were conducted.
• Cuticular hydrocarbon analysis was performed.

Main Results:

• Flies reared on different media developed a strong mating preference for their own group after one generation.
• This preference persisted for at least 37 generations.
• Antibiotic treatment eliminated mating preference, implicating the microbiota.
• Transplantation of specific Lactobacillus species restored mating preference.
• Microbiota manipulation altered cuticular hydrocarbon profiles, suggesting a mechanism for pheromone alteration.

Conclusions:

• Symbiotic bacteria can rapidly induce mating preferences in Drosophila, contributing to early-stage speciation.
• The fly microbiota plays a significant role in shaping host reproductive behavior.
• This research supports the hologenome theory of evolution, integrating host and microbial genomes.