Acclimation for desiccation resistance in Drosophila: Species and population comparisons

Abstract

In previous work, it was found that Drosophila melanogaster females became more resistant to desiccation after prior exposure to a non-lethal desiccation stress. Here, this acclimation response is shown to occur in three other widespread Drosophila species: D. simulans, D. immigrans and D. serrata. However, such acclimation was unsuccessful in D. birchii, a sibling species of D. serrata found in rainforest habitats. An acclimation response in all the widespread species was evident after a prior exposure period of a few hours, and acclimation was still evident after more than 24 h. Two D. serrata populations, one originating from a tropical location (Townsville) and one from a cooler coastal ..