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How does Drosophila melanogaster overwinter?
Author(s) -
Izquierdo J. I.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
entomologia experimentalis et applicata
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.765
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1570-7458
pISSN - 0013-8703
DOI - 10.1111/j.1570-7458.1991.tb01485.x
Subject(s) - overwintering , biology , diapause , drosophila melanogaster , temperate climate , adaptation (eye) , melanogaster , drosophila (subgenus) , evolutionary biology , ecology , zoology , larva , genetics , gene , neuroscience
In temperate regions low temperatures seem to be the most restrictive factor for survival of Drosophila natural populations, which depends on the capacity of one or more developmental stages to resist unfavourable winter conditions. In this study we have attempted to answer the question of how D. melanogaster overwinters under natural temperature conditions. Only adults overwintered and no diapause was observed in any developmental stage. Thus, developmental duration becomes a decisive component with respect to overwintering potential and, therefore, the preadult stages are unlikely to overwinter. Possible evolutionary steps in adaptation to cold regions are discussed.