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Analysis of the effects of inbreeding on lifespan and starvation resistance in Drosophila melanogaster

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Abstract

Because of their decreased overall fitness and genetic variability inbred individuals are expected to show reduced survival and lifespan under most environmental conditions as compared with outbred individuals. Whereas evidence for the deleterious effects of inbreeding on lifespan has been previously provided, only a few studies have investigated effects of inbreeding on survival under starved conditions. In the present study we compared the abilities of inbred and outbred adult Drosophila melanogaster to survive under starved and fed conditions. We found that inbreeding reduced lifespan but had no effect on starvation resistance. The results indicate highly trait specific consequences of inbreeding. Possible mechanisms behind the observed results are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

We are most grateful for Minna Lindroth for her assistance in the experiment. This study was supported by the Academy of Finland to M.J.R and by the Finnish Cultural Foundation to T.M.V.

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  1. Department of Biology, Section of Ecology, University of Turku, 20014, Turku, Finland

    Terhi M. Valtonen & Markus J. Rantala

  2. Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA

    Derek A. Roff

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  1. Terhi M. Valtonen
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Correspondence to Terhi M. Valtonen.

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Valtonen, T.M., Roff, D.A. & Rantala, M.J. Analysis of the effects of inbreeding on lifespan and starvation resistance in Drosophila melanogaster . Genetica 139, 525–533 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10709-011-9574-0

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