Effects of tomato and apple diets on morphological and behavioral traits in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

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.