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Geographic distribution and functionality of cuticular hydrocarbons in Drosophila athabasca
Author(s) -
Harvey Taylor,
Yukilevich Roman
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.760.13
Subject(s) - desiccation , biology , ecology , pheromone , drosophila (subgenus) , sex pheromone , geographic variation , range (aeronautics) , zoology , population , demography , genetics , gene , materials science , sociology , composite material
Various races of Drosophila athabasca exhibit differences in cuticular hydrocarbon profiles. Races Eastern A and West Northern exemplify these morphologies and thus were used for experimentation. Despite previous work postulating a connection between these traits and sexual selection, we have found that they play little to no role in female choice. Rather, we believe that cuticular hydrocarbons are instead used to aid in desiccation resistance. These waxy molecules provide a layer of protection for the flies against water loss as a result of environmental conditions. Flies were placed into vials containing silica gel in order to induce desiccation and show which lines were able to survive the for the longest period of time. We will construct mortality curves of D. athabasca from various geographic areas in which each race is found in order to determine which pheromone profile is best equipped to resist desiccation. Further, we aim to explore differences within each race based on geographic range of the populations collected. We hypothesize that lines of D. athabasca that inhabit warmer and drier climates will have a pheromone profile that is more resistant to desiccation. Support or Funding Information Union College Undergraduate Research Committee