[Wing shape and developmental temperature in two Drosophila species: different wing regions exhibit different...

Reaction norms of different parts of the wing in relation to developmental temperature were analyzed in Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans using polynomial adjustments. Six rearing temperatures that encompass the whole physiologically possible range of these species were used. Different morphometric traits of the wing were shown to have different shapes of reaction norms. In particular, traits belonging to the posterior wing compartment and to the edge of the wing had various reaction norm shapes, which differed from that of the total wing length. Temperatures of maximum values (TMVs) of most traits were higher in D. melanogaster than in D. simulans. In general, reaction norm shapes in D. simulans were more varied. The results are discussed in relation to thermal adaptation of the species studied.