Summary
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1.
Equal numbers of the sibling species Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans were allowed to compete in population cages. Two sets of 5 cages each-A & B-took 20 and 26 weeks respectively until D. simulans comprised less than 15% of the population for 2 successive generations.
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2.
At the beginning of each cage set, the fecundity of stock females of each species in the presence of con-& heterospecific females, con- and heterospecific larvae, distilled water and a water soluble extract from larvainfested media were determined. Fecundities of daughters of the last generation to be in competition were tested under the same conditions.
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3.
In all conditions, D. melanogaster stock females had a higher fecundity than D. simulans females at the beginning of each cage set. After competition, the fecundity of both species changes (generally increased) although that of D. simulans increased to a greater degree.
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4.
In test of the water-soluble extract of previously used media, females of both species showed decreased fecundity. This indicates that females can determine whether a food source has been used by larvae even when no larvae are immediately observable.
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Aiken, R.B., Gibo, D.L. Changes in fecundity of Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans in response to selection for competitive ability. Oecologia 43, 63–77 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00346673
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00346673