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  • Desiccation resistance and mating behaviour in laboratory populations of Drosophila simulans originating from the opposing slopes of Lower Nahal Oren (Israel).

Desiccation resistance and mating behaviour in laboratory populations of Drosophila simulans originating from the opposing slopes of Lower Nahal Oren (Israel).

Journal of evolutionary biology (2011-06-24)
E Gefen, O Brendzel
ABSTRACT

Lower Nahal Oren in Northern Israel, often referred to as 'Evolution Canyon', has been proposed as a microscale model site for ecological evolution. However, conflicting stress resistance and mating assay results contribute to controversy over the Nahal Oren model. In this study, we further tested the Nahal Oren model, while extending its focus from Drosophila melanogaster to its sister species, Drosophila simulans. Using fly populations derived from the opposing canyon slopes and acclimated to laboratory conditions for 11-22 generations, we did not find a significant slope effect on desiccation resistance (P = 0.96) or body metabolic fuel content (P > 0.43), which would indicate a genetic basis for adaptation to local resource limitation. Multiple-choice mating assays (47-48% homotypic couples in two replicate populations) did not indicate divergence from a random mating pattern between north- and south-facing slope flies. In conclusion, our findings do not support divergence of D. simulans populations across Lower Nahal Oren.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Amyloglucosidase from Aspergillus niger, lyophilized, powder, ~70 U/mg
Sigma-Aldrich
Bicinchoninic Acid Kit for Protein Determination, for 200-1000 μg/ml protein