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Are Drosophila preferences for yeasts stable or contextual?
Catrin S Günther1, Sarah J Knight2, Rory Jones1
1Joseph Banks Laboratories, School of Life Sciences University of Lincoln Lincoln UK.
Ecology and Evolution
|August 6, 2019
Summary
Fruit flies (Drosophila) and yeast interactions are not specific. Fruit fly attraction to yeasts is general, suggesting adaptation to detect microbial infestations rather than specific yeast-insect communication.
Area of Science:
- Chemical ecology
- Animal behavior
- Microbiology
Background:
- Saccharomycetaceae yeasts and Drosophila fruit flies share habitats, with interactions potentially mediated by yeast volatiles.
- The hypothesis suggests a facultative mutualism driven by yeast-produced chemical signals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the maintenance of yeast-fruit fly interactions.
- To determine if general mechanisms drive interspecific chemical communication between yeast and Drosophila.
Main Methods:
- Utilized choice tests to assess behavioral responses of Drosophila isolates.
- Employed experimental evolution to study adaptive changes.
- Conducted volatile analyses to identify chemical signals.
Main Results:
- Drosophila melanogaster showed general attraction to various Saccharomycetaceae yeasts, irrespective of fruit type.
- Drosophila simulans exhibited specific, context-dependent (fruit type) attraction to certain Saccharomyces cerevisiae genotypes.
- Drosophila simulans' attraction was pliable over ecological timescales, and responses were likely threshold-dependent.
Conclusions:
- Little evidence supports bespoke yeast-Drosophila interactions; flies do not appear to have specific yeast preferences.
- Data suggest Drosophila are adapted to detect a range of microbes on fruits.
- Yeast-Drosophila interactions may evolve rapidly, indicating dynamic ecological relationships.
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