Short-term exposure to predation affects body elemental composition, climbing speed and survival ability in Drosophila melanogaster.

ABSTRACT: Factors such as temperature, habitat, larval density, food availability and food quality substantially affect organismal development. In addition, risk of predation has a complex impact on the behavioural and morphological life history responses of prey. Responses to predation risk seem to be mediated by physiological stress, which is an adaptation for maintaining homeostasis and improving survivorship during life-threatening situations. We tested whether predator exposure during the larval phase of development has any influence on body elemental composition, energy reserves, body size, climbing speed and survival ability of adult Drosophila melanogaster. Fruit fly larvae were exposed to predation by jumping spiders (Phidippus apacheanus), and the percentage of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N)

SUBMITTER: Krams I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4991848 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature