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Sensory deficiencies affect resource selection and associational effects at two spatial scales
Thomas A Verschut1, Brian D Inouye2, Peter A Hambäck1
1Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden.
Ecology and Evolution
|November 23, 2018
Summary
Fruit flies’ sense of smell influences how they choose food patches, affecting how resources benefit or harm each other. Taste is crucial for this selection and associated effects.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Ecology
- Sensory Biology
- Insect Behavior
Background:
- Insects often encounter patchy resources with limited sensory perception.
- This can lead to varied resource selection and associational effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how sensory abilities influence resource selection in Drosophila melanogaster.
- To compare wild-type flies with olfactory- and gustatory-deficient strains.
Main Methods:
- Oviposition assays with varying apple and banana substrate frequencies in two patches.
- Comparison of wild-type, olfactory-deficient (Orco^2), and gustatory-deficient (Poxn^ΔM22-B5) strains.
Main Results:
- Wild-type and olfactory-deficient flies showed strong apple selection and patch heterogeneity response.
- Gustatory-deficient flies lacked strong apple preference and did not exhibit associational effects.
- Sensory deficits altered resource selection and associational outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Sensory capabilities significantly impact resource selection at different spatial scales.
- Differences in olfaction and gustation drive distinct associational effects between resources.
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