Variations on a theme: diversification of cuticular hydrocarbons in a clade of cactophilic Drosophila.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We characterized variation and chemical composition of epicuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) in the seven species of the Drosophila buzzatii cluster with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Despite the critical role of CHCs in providing resistance to desiccation and involvement in communication, such as courtship behavior, mating, and aggregation, few studies have investigated how CHC profiles evolve within and between species in a phylogenetic context. We analyzed quantitative differences in CHC profiles in populations of the D. buzzatii species cluster in order to assess the concordance of CHC differentiation with species divergence.

Results

Thirty-six CHC components were scored in single fly extracts with carbon chain lengths ranging from C29 to C39, including met

SUBMITTER: de Oliveira CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3161901 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature