Abstract
Drosophila yakuba is widespread in Africa. Here we compare the cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles and mating behavior of mainland (Kounden, Cameroon) and island (Mayotte, Sao-Tome, Bioko) populations. The strains each had different CHC profiles: Bioko and Kounden were the most similar, while Mayotte and Sao-Tome contained significant amounts of 7-heptacosene. The CHC profile of the Sao-Tome population differed the most, with half the 7-tricosene of the other populations and more 7-heptacosene and 7-nonacosene. We also studied the characteristics of the mating behavior of the four strains: copulation duration was similar but latency times were higher in Mayotte and Sao-Tome populations. We found partial reproductive isolation between populations, especially in male-choice experiments with Sao-Tome females.
Highlights
Long-chain cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are fatty acid-derived hydrocarbons present on the Drosophila cuticle
CHC composition for each strain is reported in Tables 1 and 2
As the second component contains the CHCs in C23, we wondered whether there was a difference in CHC chain length among the populations (Figure 2)
Summary
Long-chain cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are fatty acid-derived hydrocarbons present on the Drosophila cuticle. They protect against desiccation and stimulate courtship [1,2]. In the melanogaster subgroup the chemical composition of CHCs is quite similar in males regardless of the species, with very abundant monoenes in C23 and C25 (7-tricosene (7-T) and 7-pentacosene (7-P)), except in D. erecta [4]. CHC composition in females is species dependent, with a CHC sexual dimorphism in three species: D. melanogaster, D. sechellia and D. erecta. The remaining six species have similar CHC profiles in males and females: D. yakuba, D. santomea, D. teissieri, D. orena, D. mauritiana and D. simulans [4]
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