Pupation site preference selection in Drosophila jambulina

Abstract

Larvae of Drosophila jambulina belonging to montium subgroup were tested for pupation site preference in relation to temperature. At higher temperature (30 {degrees}C), larvae preferred to pupate on food whereas at lower temperature (21 {degrees}C) pupation occurred on the cotton. Genetic basis of larval pupation behavior was studied by conducting reciprocal crosses for 30 generations on food-selected and on cotton-selected larvae. Results from genetic analysis between food-selected and cotton-selected strains suggested a single gene responsible for the pupation site preference, with F1 progeny pupated on cotton and F2 (F1x;F1) larvae pupated on both food as well on cotton. Although we found no change in morphological traits in food vs. cotton selected population, significantly different growth rate (body weight) between the two strains was observed. These results suggest that pupation site preferences can affect life-history traits in D. jambulina.