Research Institute for Subtropics
Fruit Fly Research in Japan

 

Circadian rhythm and time of mating in Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae) selected for age at reproduction

<Author> Takahisa Miyatake
<Year> 2002
<Journal> Heredity
<Volume> 88
<Issue>
<Pages> 302-306
<Notes> English

Chrono-biological traits were changed by selecting for life-history traits via a genetic linkage controlling both timerelated behavioural and life-history traits. Behavioural traits were compared between lines selected for young (Y-lines) and old (O-lines) age at reproduction in the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae, (Coquillett). Adults from O-lines, which survive longer than flies from Y-lines, mated later in the day and had a longer period of circadian rhythm in the locomotor activity than those from Y-lines. Flies from F1 reciprocal crosses had an intermediate time of mating and periods of circadian rhythm between that of the parents, indicating a genetic basis to these traits. The presence of these behavioural differences across the selection lines indicates that chrono-biological traits exhibit correlated responses to selection on age at reproduction. The correlated responses in the behavioural traits to selection for life-history traits are discussed from two points of view: pleiotropy and inadvertent selection.


Research Institute for Subtropics