Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster prefers to pupate in the dark, while its sibling species,D. simulans, prefers the light when the species are tested in isolation and when cultured and tested together. Reciprocal interspecific hybridizations were carried out and the F 1 individuals were tested. Progeny from the cross ofD. melanogaster females withD. simulans males chose pupations sites exactly intermediate between those of the two parental species, while the reciprocal-cross offspring preferred light pupation sites. The pupation site preferences (PSPs) of the hybrids are compatible with a sex-linked locus or loci influencing light-dependent PSP in this pair of species. Examination of light preferences of larvae prior to the late third instar demonstrates that these preference are highly specific, being restricted to the time just before pupation. During the first two larval instarsD. melanogaster is quite photopositive whileD. simulans is comparatively photoneutral. These differences in light-dependent behavior could aid in reducing competition between the two species.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Budnik, M., and Brncic, D. (1974). Preadult competition betweenDrosophila pavani andDrosophila melanogaster, Drosophila simulans, andDrosophila willistoni.Ecology 55:657–661.
Fogleman, J., and Markow, T. (1980). Behavioral differentiation between two species of cactophilicDrosophila. II. Pupation site preference.Southwest. Natur. (in press).
Godoy-Herrera, R. (1977). Inter- and intrapopulational variation in digging inDrosophila melanogaster larvae.Behav. Genet. 7:433–439.
Markow, T. A. (1979). A survey of intra- and interspecific variation for pupation height inDrosophila.Behav. Genet. 9:209–217.
Markow, T. A. (1981). Light-dependent pupation site preferences inDrosophila. I. Behavior of adult visual mutants.Behav. Neurol. Biol. 31:348–353.
Markow, T. A., and Smith, L. D. (1979). Genetics of phototactic behavior inDrosophila ananassae, a member of the melanogastic group.Behav. Genet. 9:61–67.
Markow, T. A., and Smith, W. L. (1977). Genetic analysis of phototactic behavior inDrosophila simulans.Genetics 85:273–278.
Pruzan, A., and Bush, G. (1977). Genotypic differences in larval olfactory discrimination in twoDrosophila melanogaster strains.Behav. Genet. 7:457–464.
Rizki, T., and Davis, C. (1953). Light as an ecological determinant of interspecific competition betweenDrosophila willistoni andDrosophila melanogaster.Am. Nat. 87:389–392.
Sameoto, D., and Miller, R. (1968). Selection of pupation site byDrosophila melanogaster andDrosophila simulans.Ecology 49:177–180.
Sokal, R., Ehrlich, P., Hunter, P., and Schlager, G. (1960). Some factors affecting pupation site ofDrosophila.Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 53:174–182.
Sokolowski, M. (1980). Foraging strategies ofDrosophila melanogaster: A chromosomal analysis.Behav. Genet. 10:291–302.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by Grant GM25424 from the National Institutes of Health to T.A.M.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Manning, M., Markow, T.A. Light-dependent pupation site preferences inDrosophila. II.Drosophila melanogaster andDrosophila simulans . Behav Genet 11, 557–563 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01065790
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01065790