Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Control of the adult reproductive potential by preimaginal thermal conditions

A study in Drosophila melanogaster

  • Published:
Oecologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Drosophila melanogaster larvae were reared at various constant temperatures ranging from 12° C to 32° C and adults were transferred at the usual temperature of 25° after emergence. Daily egg production and egg hatchability were measured for the whole lifetime. The adults, of the same average genotype and kept in identical conditions, showed considerable variation in reproductive capacity. For adults grown at an optimum temperature (21° or 25°) the number of offspring produced was about 2500; this number dropped below 500 when development took place either at a lower or higher temperature. Several physiological changes explain these deleterious effects: male sterility at low or high temperature, variation in ovariole number, and in rates of oogenesis and senescence. Only the male sterility was cured by the return to 25°; all the other modifications were permanent. The significance of this epigenetic load in the life strategy of the species is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arrigo, P., Goldschmidt-Clermont, M., Mirault, M.E., Moran, L.: The effect of heat shock on Drosophila melanogaster. Experimentia 33, 811 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Adkisson, P.L.: Action of the photoperiod in controlling insect diapause Am. Nat. 98, 357–374 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barker, J.F., Herman, W.S.: Effect of photoperiod and temperature on reproduction of the monarch butterfly Danaus plexippus. J. Insect Physiol. 22, 1565–1568 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, S.D.: Insect photoperiodism. New York: Academic Press 1968

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonnier, G.: Temperature and time of development of the two sexes of D. melanogaster. J. Exptl. Biol. 6, 445–464 (1926)

    Google Scholar 

  • Boulétrau-Merle, J.: Fonctionnement comparé des femelles vierges et des femelles inséminées de D. melanogaster. Ann. Soc. Entomol. Fr. 9, 181–191 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Boulétreau-Merle, J.: Influence de l'accouplement sur la physiologie reproductive des femelles de D. melanogaster. Thèse Lyon, 320 p. (1975)

  • Bozcuk, A.N.: DNA synthesis in the absence of somatic cell division associated with ageing in Drosophila subobscura. Exptl. Geront. 7, 147–156 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, K.U.: Insects and temperature, pp. 293–346. New York: Academic Press 1967

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohet, Y.: Stérilité mâle provoquée par une basse température de développement chez Drosophila melanogaster. C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris 276, 3343–3346 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohet, Y.: Epigenetic influences on the life span of the Drosophila: existence of an optimal growth temperature for adult longevity. Exptl. Geront. 10, 181–184 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohet, Y., Boulétreau-Merle, J.: Influences épigénétiques sur la reproduction d'un insecte: variation de la réactivité des femelles de D. melanogaster à la copulation en fonction de leur température de développement. C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris 278, 3235–3238 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Danilevskii, A.S.: Photoperiodism and seasonal development of insect. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd 1965

    Google Scholar 

  • David, J.: Le nombre d'ovarioles chez la drosophile en relation avec la fécondité et la valeur adaptative. Arch. Zool. Exptl. Gén. 111, 357–370 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • David, J., Arens, M.F., Cohet, Y.: Stérilité mâle à haute température chez D. melanogaster: nature, progressivité et réversibilité des effets de la chaleur. C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris 272, 1007–1010 (1971 a)

    Google Scholar 

  • David, J., Biémont, C., Fouillet, P.: Sur la forme des courbes de ponte de D. melanogaster et leur ajustement à des modèles mathématiques. Arch. Zool. Exptl. Gén. 115, 263–277 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • David, J., Boulétreau-Merle, J., Van Herrewege, J., Cohet, Y., Arens, M.F., Fouillet, P.: Déterminisme de la fécondité et du fonctionnement ovarien chez D. melanogaster. Groupe lyonnais de recherche en biologie cellulaire, pp. 61–82 (1971 b)

  • David, J., Clavel, M.F.: Interaction entre le génotype et le milieu d'élevage. Conséquences sur les caractéristiques du développement de la Drosophile. Bull. Biol. Fr. Belg. 99, 369–378 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • David, J., Clavel, M.F.: Influence de la température d'élevage sur la mortalité larvo-nymphale et la durée de développement de la Drosophile. Nat. Can. 94, 209–219 (1967 a)

    Google Scholar 

  • David, J., Clavel, M.F.: Influence de la température subie au cours du développement sur divers caractères biométriques des adultes de D. melanogaster. J. Insect Physiol. 13, 717–729 (1967 b)

    Google Scholar 

  • David, J., Clavel, M.F.: Variation of the rate of egg chamber production in the ovarioles of D. melanogaster. Drosophila Information Service 42, 101–102 (1967 c)

    Google Scholar 

  • David, J., Clavel, M.F.: A new method for measuring egg production without disturbing the flies. Drosophila Information Service 43, 182–183 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • David, J., Clavel, M.F.: Influence de la température sur le nombre, le pourcentage d'éclosion et la taille des oeufs pondus par D. melanogaster. Ann. Soc. Entomol. Fr. 5, 161–177 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • David, J., Cohet, Y.: Reduction de la longévité de Drosophiles adultes par élevage à basse température. C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris 273, 1028–1031 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • David, J., Cohet, Y., Fouillet, P.: The variability between individuals as a measure of senescence: a study of the number of eggs laid and the percentage of hatched eggs in the case of D. melanogaster. Exptl. Geront. 10, 17–25 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • David, J., Croissant, J.: Recherches sur la fécondité et la fertilité chez D. melanogaster. Ann. Univ. Lyon Section C 9, 73–128 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Falconer, D.S.: Introduction to quantitative genetics, Edinburgh: Olivier and Boyd 1964

    Google Scholar 

  • Ford, E.B.: Genetic polymorphism. London: Faber and Faber 1965

    Google Scholar 

  • Fowler, G.L.: Some aspects of the reproductive biology of Drosophila: sperm transfer, sperm storage and sperm utilization. Adv. Genet. USA 17, 293–360 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gowen, J.W., Johnson, L.E.: On the mechanism of heterosis. I. Metabolism capacity of different races of D. melanogaster for egg production. Am. Nat. 80, 149–179 (1946)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hadorn, E., Zeller, M.: Fertilitätstudien und D. melanogaster. I. Untersuchungen zum altersbedingten Fertilitätsabfall. Roux'Arch. 142, 276–300 (1943)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hochachka, P.N., Somero, G.N.: Strategies of biochemical adaptation. Philadelphia: Saunders 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann, K.H.: Wirkung von konstanten und tagesperiodisch alternierenden Temperaturen auf Lebensdauer, Nahrungsverwertung und Fertilität adulter Gryllus bimaculatus. Oecologia (Berl.) 17, 39–54 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerkis, J.J.: The growth of the gonads in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 16, 212–224 (1931)

    Google Scholar 

  • King, W.S., Bodenstein, D., King, R.C.: The development of the female Drosophila reproductive system. J. Morphol. 124, 143–166 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lees A.D.: The physiology of diapause in Arthropods. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1955

    Google Scholar 

  • Lints, F.A., Lints, C.V.: Influence of preimaginal environment on fecundity and ageing in Drosophila melanogaster hybrids. II. Preimaginal temperature. Exptl. Geront. 6, 417–426 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Loeb, J., Northrop, P.: On the influence of food and temperature upon the duration of life. J. Biol. Chem. 32, 103–121 (1917)

    Google Scholar 

  • McMillan, I., Fitz Earle, M., Robson, D.S.: Quantitative genetics of fertility. Life time egg production of Drosophila melanogaster. II. Exptl. Gen. 65, 349–369 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Maynard-Smith, S.: In topics in the biology of ageing (P.L. Krohn, ed.), pp. 1–27. New York: Wiley 1966

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayr, E.: Animal species and evolution. Cambridge: Harvard Univ. Press 1963

    Google Scholar 

  • Medvedev, Z.A.: Protein biosynthesis. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd 1966

    Google Scholar 

  • Papillon, M., Cassier, P., Girardie, J., Lafon-Cazal, M.: L'influence de la température d'élevage sur l'activité sexuelle de Schistocerca gregaria. Arch. Biol. Belg. 87, 103–127 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Parsons, P.A.: The comparative evolutionary biology of the sibling species D. melanogaster and D. simulans. Quart. Rev. Biol. 50, 151–169 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Perrin-Valdemer, C.: Biologie de la reproduction du mâle et des spermatozoìdes chez D. melanogaster. Ann. Biol. Anim. Biochem. Biophys. Fr. 6, 553–585 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Powsner, L.: The effects of temperature on the duration of the development stage of D. melanogaster. Physiol. Zool. 8, 181–244 (1935)

    Google Scholar 

  • Precht, H., Christophersen, J., Hensel, H., Lercher, W.: Temperature and life. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Riedel, H.: Der Einfluss der Entwicklungstemperatur auf Flügel und Tibialänge von D. melanogaster (wild, vestigial und die reziproken Kreuzungen). Arch. Entw. Mech. Org. 132, 463–503 (1935)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, A.M.: Seasonal polyphenism. In evolutionary biology, Vol. 9 (M.K. Hecht, W.C. Steere, B. Wallace, eds.). New York: Plenum Press 1976

    Google Scholar 

  • Siddiqui, W.H., Barlow, C.A.: Population growth of Drosophila melanogaster at constant and alternating temperatures. Ann. Entol. Soc. Amer. 65, 993–1001 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki, D.T.: Temperature sensitive mutation. In: Handbook of Genetics (R.C. King, ed.) New York: Plenum Press 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Welbers, P.: Der Einfluss von tagesperiodischen Wechseltemperaturen bei der Motte Pectinophora. I. Entwicklungsdauer, Larvengewicht und Reproduktionsrate. Oecologia (Berl.) 21, 31–42 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire d'Entomologie expérimentale et de Génétique (associé au C.N.R.S.), Université Claude Bernard, F-69621, Villeurbanne, France

    Y. Cohet & J. David

Authors
  1. Y. Cohet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. David
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cohet, Y., David, J. Control of the adult reproductive potential by preimaginal thermal conditions. Oecologia 36, 295–306 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00348055

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00348055

Keywords

Search

Navigation