Genetic and molecular analysis of the love song preferences of Drosophila females

• Published in: American zoologist 1992-01, Vol.32 (1), p.31-39
• Main Authors: Kyriacou, C.P. (University of Leicester, UK), Greenacre, M.L, Ritchie, M.G, Byrne, B.C, Hall, J.C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal communication; Animal ethology; Animal reproduction; Art songs; Behavioral genetics; Biological and medical sciences; COMMUNICATION ANIMALE; COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ANIMALS; COMPORTAMIENTO SEXUAL; COMPORTEMENT SEXUEL; COMUNICACION ENTRE ANIMALES; Drosophila; DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER; DROSOPHILA SIMULANS; Evolutionary genetics; Female animals; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetic loci; GENETICA MOLECULAR; GENETIQUE MOLECULAIRE; Hybridity; Insect genetics; Insects; Invertebrates; Male animals; MATING BEHAVIOR; Mechanisms of Mate Choice; MOLECULAR GENETICS; Protozoa. Invertebrata; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Sexes; SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR; SON (ACOUSTIQUE); SONIDO; SOUND
• ISSN: 0003-1569; 1540-7063; 2162-4445; 1557-7023
• DOI: 10.1093/icb/32.1.31

The courtship songs of male Drosophila have been studied at the behavioural, genetic and molecular levels. Less attention has been paid to the female's responses to these songs. Playback experiments are described which suggest that courtship songs are an important component of female mate choice. Some of the implications of the behavioural responses of hybrid females between D. melanogaster and D. simulans are examined in the light of theories concerning the mechanisms by which insect communication systems might evolve. The role of the period gene in both male song production and in female song reception is considered, and the neural regions in the female which may be important for song integration are briefly discussed.