Comparisons of yeast florae from natural substrates and larval guts of southwestern Drosophila

The yeast florae in the natural substrates of four desert and three non-desert Drosophila species were compared both qualitatively and quantatively to the yeast present in the guts of Drosophila larvae living in those substrates. The desert species breed in rotting cacti and the other Drosophila wer...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Oecologia 1982-02, Vol.52 (2), p.187-191
Main Authors: Fogleman, J.C, Starmer, W.T, Heed, W.B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cactus
Deserts
Drosophila
Drosophila melanogaster
Drosophila pseudoobscura
Ecological genetics
Insect larvae
insects
Larvae
Pichia
Species
Statistical significance
Yeasts
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Summary:The yeast florae in the natural substrates of four desert and three non-desert Drosophila species were compared both qualitatively and quantatively to the yeast present in the guts of Drosophila larvae living in those substrates. The desert species breed in rotting cacti and the other Drosophila were found breeding in necrotic oranges. Larvae of one cactophilic species, D. mojavensis, and larvae of all of the species utilizing oranges (D. melanogaster, D. pseudoobscura, and D. arizonensis) were found to contain non-random samples of the yeasts available in their respective substrates. Larval preference behavior is most likely responsible for these differences. The other cactophilic Drosophila (D. nigrospiracula, D. mettleri, and D. pachea) did not exhibit significant differences when the yeast florae of their larvae and substrates were compared. Selective feeding by larvae appears to be related to the degree of polyphagy in that only larvae of polyphagous species are selective. Trade-off between generalism and specialism at two biological levels is discussed.
ISSN:0029-8549
1432-1939
DOI:10.1007/BF00363835