ISSN:
1573-3297
Keywords:
Drosophila melanogaster
;
digging behavior
;
larval depth concealment
;
parasitic success
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Psychology
Notes:
Abstract TwoDrosophila strains were compared with respect to the behavior of their larvae on food substrate: a wild-type strain (D) from the West Indies exhibited digging behavior, while a laboratory strain (S), bearing theebony mutation, remained on the surface. Chromosome transfers showed this difference to be due mainly to autosomes. There was a significant difference between the two strains in the proportions of larvae parasitized by a cynipid wasp. This was not due to theebony mutation or to other traits such as larval size, cuticle thickness, and speed of development. Chromosome transfers demonstrated a significant role of the three major chromosomes in the susceptibility to the parasite. A clear parallelism was found between the susceptibility to parasitization and the proportion of surface larvae. The depth of concealment of the larvae in the food matter appears to be a favorable behavioral strategy for escaping parasite attacks. The possible adaptive significance of genetic variations in larval behavior is discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01065895
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