Larval Crowding Effects on Drosophila Melanogaster populations selected for Early and late life fertility
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Authors
Shavrova, Anastasia
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
evolution , development , larval crowding , trade-offs , drosophila melanogaster
Alternative Title
Abstract
Life history theory seeks to explain how organisms optimize their fitness in the presence of extrinsic and intrinsic challenges. Like many organisms with complex life cycles, holometabolous insects often face different environments and uncertain future conditions as they differentiate and grow. These extrinsic factors interact with tradeoffs within stages, such as the rate of growth and size at each transition point. Here, I study the effects of larval crowding on populations selected for rapid development and extreme early life fertility (FAST) and relaxed development rate and late life fertility (SLOW) during larval and pupal (pre-adult), and adult stages of Drosophila melanogaster. I do so by quantifying pre-adult developmental time and viability, as well as adult size at eclosion and reproductive success. Additionally, I tease apart sex differences in terms of sex ratio at eclosion and weight changes with increased larval crowding. I found the following: larval development time increased for both selection regimes, but this change was more pronounced in the SLOW selected populations. Additionally, the SLOW selected populations exhibited prolonged pupal development at high larval densities of 200 and 400 per vial. The most significant decrease in pre-adult viability was predominantly during larval development for both selection regimes. Size at eclosion decreases as larval density increases, and is closely correlated with a decrease in fecundity. Yet, there were few differences in the response to crowding between the males and females for both selection regimes in terms of eclosion time or weight loss due to density. My results support other studies on the effects of larval crowding, as well as offering new insights into the physiological plasticity and trade-offs that the two selection regimes exhibit.
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ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.