Intraspecific and interspecific pre-adult competition on the neotropical region colonizer Zaprionus indianus (Diptera: Drosophilidae) under laboratory conditions

Abstract

This study analyzes the pre-adult interactions of Zaprionus indianus, a recently-introduced species in Brazil, with two others Drosophilidae under laboratory conditions. The effects of larval residues on the viability and on the developmental time of Z. indianus, Drosophila simulans and D. sturtevanti were used to evaluate pre-adult competitive interactions, conditioning the culture medium with larval residues. Pre-adult interactions between Z. indianus, D. sturtevanti and D. simulans may affect their relative abundance over time, since the viability of Z. indianus was negatively affected by residues of D. sturtevanti, and its residues reduced the viability of D. simulans and the developmental time of both D. simulans and D. sturtevanti.

Differences in larval nutritional requirements and female oviposition preference reflect the order of fruit colonization of Zaprionus indianus and Drosophila simulans

“…Thus, it seems as though Z. indianus has a strong preference for macronutrient content of the food, whereas D. simulans females make choices to avoid Z. indianus. Given that previous studies have shown that larval residuals from Z. indianus alter viability and development time in D. simulans larvae, but not vice versa (Galego and Carareto, 2005), D. simulans females may occupy their characteristic temporal nutritional resource to avoid competition with Z. indianus rather than out of dietary preference.…”

Diversity and community structure of Drosophila (Hexapoda, Diptera) in post‐mining sites under different forest restoration techniques in the Brazilian Amazon

“…Its invasive potential causes concern to native species, as this species has a high reproductive capacity and can use a great diversity of habitats and resources (Silva et al 2020; Montes et al 2021). D. sturtevanti is a native neotropical species (da Conceicao Galego & Carareto 2005) and the structural characteristics of the environment do not seem to be a limiting factor for this species (Martins 1987). In fact, it is a very abundant species both in the Amazon biome, in the open cerrado and in gallery forests (Tidon 2006; Chaves & Tidon 2008), however, this species actually corresponds to a complex of cryptic species whose designation can be representing more than one species with complementary ecologies (Souza et al 2014).…”

Contrasting levels of genotype by environment interaction for life history and morphological traits in invasive populations of Zaprionus indianus (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

“…Our results showed that Z. indianus populations sampled from the species's invaded range in Argentina present quantitative genetic variation and also variation for phenotypic plasticity (G×E interactions) for developmental time and morphological traits. In terms of mean phenotypic values, developmental time of Z. indianus flies from the invaded range in Argentina was scored around 14.5 d; a slightly faster (but quite similar) trait value compared with flies from Brazilian populations, where developmental time ranged from 15 to 19 d (Stein et al, 2003;Galego & Carareto, 2005;Setta & Carareto, 2005;Nava et al, 2007). Wing length and thorax length were also quantified in previous works in populations from Brazil and Uruguay (invaded range), and showed larger values than the same traits scored in flies from Argentina in the present article (David et al, 2006a).…”