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Satyrization in Drosophila fruitflies
Stewart Leigh1, Wayne G Rostant1, Martin I Taylor1
1School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
Journal of Evolutionary Biology
|November 7, 2020
Summary
Satyrization, or disrupted reproduction in closely related species, often shows asymmetric effects. In fruit flies, accessory gland proteins (Acps) cause these asymmetric mating costs, impacting species divergence.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Reproductive Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Satyrization describes reproductive disruption in interspecies matings, often with asymmetric impacts.
- Heterospecific matings can impose female fitness costs via inviable offspring or reduced receptivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the costs and mechanisms of satyrization in the Drosophila melanogaster species subgroup.
- Determine the role of male accessory gland proteins (Acps) in asymmetric post-mating effects.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of fitness costs in reciprocal heterospecific matings between Drosophila species.
- Experimental injection of male accessory gland proteins (Acps) to assess female sexual receptivity.
Main Results:
- Drosophila simulans females experienced greater fitness costs from reduced remating opportunities than D. melanogaster females.
- Asymmetric post-mating receptivity was observed, linked to variations in heterospecific Acp effects.
- Acp effects were significant but not asymmetric in species with which D. melanogaster cannot mate.
Conclusions:
- Asymmetric satyrization, driven by post-mating Acp effects, is likely common in diverging and hybridizing species.
- These findings contribute to understanding the evolution of reproductive isolation and species divergence.
