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Elemental stoichiometry of Drosophila and their hosts
Author(s) -
Markow T. A.,
Raphael B.,
Dobberfuhl D.,
Breitmeyer C. M.,
Elser J. J.,
Pfeiler E.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
functional ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.272
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2435
pISSN - 0269-8463
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2435.1999.00285.x
Subject(s) - biology , stoichiometry , drosophila (subgenus) , evolutionary biology , ecology , zoology , genetics , gene , chemistry , organic chemistry
1. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availabilities are important ecological determinants of resource use in nature. Despite the wide range of hosts used by species of the genus Drosophila , elemental composition of natural resources of these flies has never been investigated. 2. Total body N and P contents were determined in seven species of wild‐caught Drosophila , their natural hosts, and artificial diets routinely used to rear these flies in the laboratory. The flies tested included D. hydei, D. arizonae, D. simulans and D. pseudoobscura collected from rotting fruit (melons), and the cactophilic D. nigrospiracula, D. mojavensis and D. pachea collected from their specific host plants, Saguaro, Organpipe and Senita cactus, respectively. 3. Natural hosts varied in elemental composition, with fruit showing higher N (2·8–4·3% dry mass) and P (0·50–0·67%) levels compared with cacti (0·5–1·6% N; 0·01–0·29% P). No consistent differences in N and P levels were found between healthy and necrotic cactus tissue. 4. Total body N and P also varied among Drosophila species. This variation mirrored the levels of N and P found in the respective hosts and laboratory diets. N:P ratios were consistently lower in female flies compared with conspecific males suggesting phosphorus demands during oogenesis are high. 5. Potential mechanisms by which Drosophila deal with N or P limitation in nature are discussed.