Oviposition Temperature Range in Four Drosophila Species Triads from Different Ecological Backgrounds

Abstract

Oviposition was compared at laboratory temperatures ranging from 3-38C and at 100% relative humidity for four Drosophila species triads from different ecological backgrounds. Oviposition temperatures common to all three species in a triad reflect the group's ecological distribution: the temperate-montane virilis group (D. virilis, D. americana, D. montana) has the lowest temperature limits (9-32C), the desert repleta group (D. arizonensis, D. moJavensis, D. mullerz) has the highest limits (12-36C), and the cosmopolitan melanogaster group (D. melanogaster, D. simulans, D. ananassae) has broader temperature limits (10.5-34C) than the endemic tropical willistoni group (D. paulistorum semispecies-Amazonian, Interior, Transitional: 10.5-30C). Within triads, differentiation in oviposition temperature usually reflects species' distributions and suggests microniche differences among species. Sibling species in each triad are not necessarily more similar in oviposition capabilities. Patterns of differences suggest that temperature-dependent oviposition may be important for the separation of these closely related species. Individual species from different triads show overlap in oviposition temperature range, suggesting caution when generalizing about widespread vs. ecologically restricted groups. Observed oviposition temperatures extend beyond limits predicted in the literature for resource utilization, and may not correspond to temperature limits for tolerance/survival, developmental viability or activity in the field. Associated components of reproduction (mating and oviposition) are differentially affected by temperature in all 12 species. This emphasizes the fact that if temperature is of adaptive importance for a particular species, different aspects of the life cycle can be the critical temperature-limited factor.

Life history consequences of temperature transients inDrosophila melanogaster

“…For example, fecundity increases gradually with temperature to ~25°C and then decreases rapidly at temperatures above 28° to 30°C (David and Clavel, 1969;Huey et al, 1995;McKenzie, 1975;Schnebel and Grossfield, 1986;Siddiqui and Barlow, 1972).…”

Effect of temperature on oviposition in four species of the melanogaster group of Drosophila

“…In certain studies, various species of Drosophila including D. ananassae, which has been utilized during the present study have been used for the study of effect of temperature on oviposition (McKenzie, 1975;Parsons, 1978;Schnebel & Grossfield, 1986). In all these species, oviposition is severely reduced at low temperature.…”

“…At 28°C, David & Clavel (1969) found less than one half of maximum daily egg production in D. melanogaster, Schnebel & Grossfield (1986) compared the oviposition temperature range in four Drosophila species triads from different ecological backgrounds and found differences in temperature range for oviposition of different species groups which reflects the group's ecological distribution.…”

“…In general, behaviour of an organism is strongly influenced by environmental conditions Effect of different external factors on oviposition pattern has been investigated in various Drosophila species (Gruwez et al, 1971;Mckenzie, 1975;Ohnishi, 1977;Rockwell & Grossfield, 1978;Seiger & Sanner, 1983;Schnebel & Grossfield, 1986). Temperature plays an important role in oviposition behaviour of Drosophila species.…”

“…Temperature plays an important role in oviposition behaviour of Drosophila species. It is severely restricted at low temperature (Mckenzie, 1975;Parsons, 1978;Schnebel & Grossfield, 1986 (Singh & Chatterjee, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1994Srivastava & Singh, 1993a, b;Singh & Sisodia, 1995). Oviposition site preference has been studied in these species and intraand interspecies variations have been found (Srivastava & Singh, 1993a, b).…”