The Genetic Architecture of Resistance to Desiccation in Populations of Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans

Abstract

Populations of D. melanogaster and D. simulans from Melbourne, Vic., and Brisbane, Qld, were regularly sampled for resistance to desiccation. D. melanogaster was more resistant than D. simulans and females of each species were more resistant than males for both populations.The resistance observed for the D. melanogaster population from Melbourne and for the populations of both species from Brisbane remained fairly constant throughout a yearly cycle. However, the resistance of the D. simulans population from Melbourne was greatest during the warmest months and became progressively less as the temperature decreased. For this D. simulans population percentage mortality was correlated with mean temperature and temperature fluctuation of the Melbourne environment. No other correlation was found for any other population comparison.Laboratory populations, derived from founders of each area and kept at constant temperatures of 15, 20 and 25°C, provided results that agreed with the field data. The level of resistance of the D. simulans population from Melbourne appeared to be related to the environmental temperature of maintenance but the other populations maintained fairly uniform resistance levels over a number of generations.Diallel cross techniques indicate that the genetic architectures for resistance to desiccation of the Melbourne D. melanogaster population and of both species from Brisbane are similar, with additive, dominance and interaction effects being observed. Desiccation resistance for D. simulans from Melbourne is almost entirely additive, however. This result is discussed in relation to the field and laboratory data.

Levels of Variation in Stress Resistance in Drosophila Among Strains, Local Populations, and Geographic Regions: Patterns for Desiccation, Starvation, Cold Resistance, and Associated Traits

“…There is also evidence for selection shifting levels of resistance within populations. In particular, McKenzie and Parsons (1974) showed that desiccation resistance varied seasonally in a temperate population of D. simulans, which is consistent with changes in levels of stress likely to be experienced by this population.…”

“…There is also evidence for selection shifting levels of resistance within populations. In particular, McKenzie and Parsons (1974) showed that desiccation resistance varied seasonally in a temperate population of D. simulans, which is consistent with changes in levels of stress likely to be experienced by this population.In this paper, we are concerned with patterns of variation in stress resistance traits. The main question we address is as follows: How strong is variation at the local and intrapopulation levels for stress resistance compared to the difference between a temperate and tropical region?…”

A long term study of the desiccation resistance of Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans from the Mexican nuclear power plant “Laguna Verde”

“…The dissimilarity between species was in accord with the finding that, there is a general superiority of D. melanogaster over D. simulans in different traits (Palabost, 1972;Marques, 1973;Cordeiro, et al, 1973;McKenzie and Parsons, 1974;Parsons, 1975;Levine et al, 1989;andPimentel et al, 2003, 2004). The difference between species grew as the time of exposure increased (Fig.…”

Adaptive behaviour of Drosophila adults in relation to temperature and humidity

“…The effects of desiccation stress on adult Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans have been compared in the laboratory by McKenzie and Parsons (1974), who found that the former species showed significantly greater survival at 0 % relative humidity than the latter. Kurnell (personal communication), using a similar technique, found that Drosophila immigrans, despite its larger size, was less resistant than either of these species.…”