Does a relationship exist between spontaneous locomotor activity, fitness and lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster?
Spontaneous locomotor activity (SLA), fecundity, fertility and lifespan were measured in a wild laboratory strain of Drosophila melanogaster in order to ascertain whether there is a genetic correlation between these traits. In females there is no correlation either between SLA and fecundity or between SLA and lifespan. It is concluded that, although a high level of SLA probably constitutes a favorable behavioral component of fitness, this does not mean that more active females have a larger number of offspring and live longer than less active ones.
D000818:Animals; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity