Oviposition Dynamics and Niche Utilization in Two Sympatric Drosophila Species.

ABSTRACT: Many Drosophila species coexist by sharing their feeding and breeding sites, which may influence their oviposition choices in an interspecies social context. Whether and where to lay eggs is a crucial decision for female flies as it influences the success of their offspring, by minimizing the risk of predation, competition, or cannibalism. Significant gaps exist in our understanding of Drosophila oviposition dynamics in co-occurring species. Here we tested oviposition strategies of Drosophila melanogaster and its close relative Drosophila simulans under different conditions, to assess whether a single female would prefer to oviposit separately or together with another female, be it a conspecific or not. We find that ovipositing females, regardless whether they are conspecifics or not, pref

SUBMITTER: Moreira-Soto RD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11794365 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature