Publication with datasets Mitrovski & Hoffmann 2001, Postponed reproduction as an adaptation to winter conditions in Drosophila melanogaster: evidence for clinal variation under semi-natural conditions, Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B

Keywords
Clines, Delayed reproduction, Life-history traits and Stress

Summary

ABSTRACT: Patterns of climatic adaptation in drosophila and other insects have largely been inferred from laboratory comparisons of traits that vary clinally. Here, we extend this research to comparisons under seminatural conditions. To test for clinal variation in reproductive patterns and survival over winter, Drosophila melanogaster populations were initiated from seven collection sites along the eastern coast of Australia, ranging from tropical to temperate regions. The fecundity and survival of these populations were monitored in field cages at a temperate location until all adults had died more than 5 months later. Total fecundity showed a curvilinear relationship with latitude, due to higher egg production by high- and low-latitude populations. Adults from temperate locations survived winter conditions better than those from subtropical populations but not tropical ones. There was a linear cline in the timing of egg production: temperate populations produced eggs later than populations from lower latitudes. This cline is likely to be adaptive because egg-to-adult viability experiments indicated that only eggs laid in spring developed successfully to the adult stage. There was no evidence for climatic adaptation in the immature stages. The adult mortality rate increased gradually over winter, and in some populations was also correlated with the minimum ambient temperature. These results indicate that adaptation to winter conditions in D. melanogaster has involved shifts in reproductive patterns.

Datasets

  • 26 Mitrovski & Hoffmann 2001, Mean overwinter egg counts and longevity

    This data file contains total egg counts, midpoint of egg laying (days), mean egg laying rate per female and day, mean longevity (days) and fitness estimates per field cage held at temperate winter conditions for seven Drosophila melanogaster populations collected in 2000 (Fig. 2). Note longitudes in data are approximate.

  • 27 Mitrovski & Hoffmann 2001, Overwinter temperature, egg laying and mortality rates

    This data file contains cage means for mortality rates (MR) and egg laying rates (ELR) per female and day for field cages held at temperate winter conditions for seven Drosophila melanogaster populations collected in 2000. In addition, average, minimum and maximum temperature (°C) records and time since the cages were established (days) are shown (Fig. 1a). Note longitudes in data are approximate.

  • 28 Mitrovski & Hoffmann 2001, Overwinter raw egg count

    This data file contains egg counts at different time points in field cages held at temperate winter conditions until all adults have died more than five months later. Eggs were counted for seven Drosophila melanogaster populations collected in 2000. Note longitudes in data are approximate.

  • 29 Mitrovski & Hoffmann 2001, Overwinter raw mortality

    This data file contains numbers of dead females and males scored at different time points in field cages held at temperate winter conditions until all adults have died more than five months later. Survival was monitored for seven Drosophila melanogaster populations collected in 2000.

Publication Citations

  • Mitrovski, Paul and Hoffmann, Ary A., 'Postponed reproduction as an adaptation to winter conditions in Drosophila melanogaster: evidence for clinal variation under semi-natural conditions', Proceedings of the Royal Society of Biological Sciences, vol. 268, 2001, pp. 2163-2168. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2001.1787. Details