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Functional Analysis of the Larval Feeding Circuit in Drosophila
Published on: November 19, 2013
Predatory cannibalism in Drosophila melanogaster larvae
Roshan K Vijendravarma1, Sunitha Narasimha, Tadeusz J Kawecki
1Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, CH 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. roshan.vijendravarma@unil.ch
Nature Communications
|May 9, 2013
Summary
Young Drosophila melanogaster larvae exhibit predatory cannibalism on larger conspecifics, especially under crowded conditions. This behavior is adaptive, supporting normal development and evolving rapidly with nutritional stress.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Animal Behavior
- Genetics
Background:
- Predatory cannibalism is rare and requires specialized adaptations.
- Its function and evolutionary significance in non-carnivorous species remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document and analyze predatory cannibalism in Drosophila melanogaster larvae.
- To investigate the adaptive significance and evolutionary potential of this behavior.
Main Methods:
- Observation of larval interactions under crowded laboratory conditions.
- Nutritional analysis of a cannibalistic diet.
- Experimental evolution over 118 generations with induced malnutrition.
- Morphological analysis of larval mouthparts.
Main Results:
- Younger larvae prey on larger conspecifics, forming aggregations via chemical cues.
- A cannibalistic diet supports normal development to adulthood.
- Larval mouthparts showed plasticity in response to a cannibalistic diet.
- Populations under malnutrition evolved an increased propensity for cannibalism.
Conclusions:
- Predatory cannibalism in Drosophila larvae is a functional and adaptive behavior.
- This behavior can rapidly evolve in response to nutritional conditions.
- Cannibalism contributes to larval development and survival under stress.
