title: Effect of biotic and abiotic factors on pupation height in four species of Drosophila.
abstract: Effect of different biotic and abiotic factors such as sex, density, larval development time, moisture, temperature and light on pupation height were tested in Drosophila ananassae, D. bipectinata, D. malerkotliana and D. biarmipes which are commonly distributed in India. In the four species there are no sex differences in pupation height. Density of larvae and moisture content of food medium strongly influence pupation height. Larval development time, light and temperature also affect pupation height but there are intra- and interspecific variations in response to these factors for pupation site preference. Thus pupation site preference in these Indian species of Drosophila is influenced by various biotic and abiotic factors. The comparison of the present results with those found in other species clearly indicates that different species may vary in their response to different factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.forename: B N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004330:Drosophila / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011679:Pupa / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D013045:Species Specificity