ISSN:
1573-6857
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Three sibling species of Drosophila, D. melanogaster, D. simulans and D. mauritiana, still without complete reproductive isolation, show specific fluorescent patterns. The difference is so striking that a tubular lamp of 365 nm U.V. light and a binocular are sufficient for routine observations. Besides those differences, it has been concluded from the comparison with totally different species like Drosophila busckii and D. littoralis that the basic pattern formations of the three species are broadly the same. Observations of behaviour under U.V. light suggest that the visual stimulation is integrated in communication in addition to olfactory, aural and tactile stimuli. Our preliminary results suggest that fluorescence is widely present in insects, perhaps even in arthropods in general. Such fluorescent patterns can perhaps shed a new light upon the status of sibling species. The results suggest that fluorescence is dependent on redox-sensitive pteridines.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00055415
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