Life‐history traits and physiological limits of the alpine fly Drosophila nigrosparsa (Diptera: Drosophilidae): A comparative study

Ecology and Evolution, January 2018

29468020

Martin‐Carl Kinzner, Patrick Krapf, Martina Nindl, Carina Heussler, Stephanie Eisenkölbl, Ary A. Hoffmann, Julia Seeber, Wolfgang Arthofer, Birgit C. Schlick‐Steiner, Florian M. Steiner

Interspecific variation in life-history traits and physiological limits can be linked to the environmental conditions species experience, including climatic conditions. As alpine environments are particularly vulnerable under climate change, we focus on the montane-alpine flyDrosophila nigrosparsa. Here, we characterized some of its life-history traits and physiological limits and compared these with those of other drosophilids, namelyDrosophila hydei,Drosophila melanogaster, andDrosophila obscura. We assayed oviposition rate, longevity, productivity, development time, larval competitiveness, starvation resistance, and heat and cold tolerance. Compared with the other species assayed,D. nigrosparsais less fecund, relatively long-living, starvation susceptible, cold adapted, and surprisingly well heat adapted. These life-history characteristics provide insights into invertebrate adaptations to alpine conditions which may evolve under ongoing climate change.