Larval competition in Drosophila melanogaster. II. Comparing biological and competitive parameters

Recent developments in the analysis of density dependent competition in Drosophila melanogaster have identified two distinct parameters, namely the competitive pressure or aggression exerted by a genotype and the sensitivity or response of a genotype to such aggression. Assuming that response is more related to the efficiency of utilising available resources and aggression to the ability to acquire those resources, we attempt to relate estimates of aggression and response obtained from a range of genotypes to estimates of larval feeding rates and conversion efficiencies. No significant correlations were found and we conclude that other characteristics must be involved in a more complex determination of competitive ability.