Latitudinal Clines in Climate and Sleep Patterns Shape Disease Outcomes in <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i> Infected by <i>Metarhizium anisopliae</i>.

ABSTRACT: Major latitudinal clines have been observed in Drosophila melanogaster, a human commensal that originated in tropical Africa and has subsequently dispersed globally to colonize temperate habitats. However, despite the crucial role pathogens play in species distribution, our understanding of how geographical factors influence disease susceptibility remains limited. This investigation explored the effects of latitudinal clines and biomes on disease resistance using the common fly pathogen Metarhizium anisopliae and 43 global Drosophila melanogaster populations. The findings revealed correlations between disease resistance and latitudinal gradients of sleep duration, temperature, and humidity. Although enhanced defenses may be driven by fungal diversity at tropical latitu

SUBMITTER: Nan M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11868735 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature