Sex-dependent effects of larval food stress on adult performance under semi-natural conditions: only a matter of size?

ABSTRACT: Organisms with complex life-cycles acquire essential nutrients as juveniles, and hence even a short-term food stress during development can impose serious fitness costs apparent in adults. We used the Glanville fritillary butterfly to investigate the effects of larval food stress on adult performance under semi-natural conditions in a population enclosure. We were specifically interested in whether the negative effects observed were due to body mass reduction only or whether additional effects unrelated to pupal mass were evident. The two sexes responded differently to the larval food stress. In females, larval food stress reduced pupal mass and reproductive performance. The reduced reproductive performance was partially mediated by pupal mass reduction. Food stressed females also had redu

SUBMITTER: Rosa E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5511311 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature