Effects of tomato and apple diets on morphological and behavioral traits in Drosophila melanogaster
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2018
Authors:
Pavković-Lučić, SofijaSavić, Tatjana
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Miličić, Dragana
Lučić, Luka
Vujić, Vukica
Trajković, Jelena
Contributors
Kružić, PetarCaput Mihalić, Katarina
Gottstein, Sanja
Pavoković, Dubravko
Kučinić, Mladen
Document Type:
Conference object (Published version)
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© 2018 by the Croatian Biological Society
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract:
The development and growth of Drosophila larvae are greatly influenced by nutritional
variations. Differences in developmental processes in various nutritive environments can be
further detected in adults, at morphological, physiological and behavioural levels, including
sexual interactions. In this study, we questioned if there is sexual selection favouring larger
D. melanogaster males and particular wing shape in relation to nutrition. Wing
characteristics were used, since they are involved in male courtship, during phases termed
as orientation and “singing”. For experimental purpose, flies cultured on tomato and apple
diets for years were used. We have previously observed that tomato diet contains a
significantly higher amount of proteins and lower C/N ratio than the apple diet that was
reflected on different fitness traits. The effects of two diets on morphological and
behavioural traits were scored in female choice tests, in which males from both “nutritional
strains” were offered to females of “tomato strain” and to females of “apple strain”.
Statistics obtained in MorphoJ program determined that “tomato” males possessed larger
and narrower wings than the “apple” males. Males developed on tomato diet were also
more attractive to females. Our results emphasized that the strength and shape of sexual
selection acting on wing traits vary with the nutritive environment influencing male mating
success.
Keywords:
Drosophila melanogaster; diet; wings; mating successFunding / projects:
- Dynamics of gene pool, genetic and phenotypic variability of populations, determined by the environmental changes (RS-MESTD-Basic Research (BR or ON)-173012)
In:
- Kružić P, Caput Mihalić K, Gottstein S, Pavoković D, Kučinić M, editors. Book of abstracts: 13th Croatian biological congress with international participation; 2018 Sep 19-23; Poreč, Croatia. Zagreb: Croatian Biological Society; 2018. p. 240.