Why there is a one-way crossability between D. melanogaster and D. simulans? An ontogenic explanation.
In the Drosophila melanogaster complex, females D. melanogaster mate relatively easily with males Drosophila simulans but the reciprocal cross is rare. The species sexual isolation is mainly based on chemical and acoustic signal exchanges between partners. The male side of this communication is investigated in this paper in order to understand the asymmetry. In D. melanogaster the acoustic signature is highly significant, and is synergistically reinforced by the chemical signal. In D. simulans the importance of the two signaling channels seems to be reversed. This could explain why D. simulans males produce less precise interpulse interval (IPI) mean value in the courtship song, which can readily overlap those of D. melanogaster. As the males of the two species use the same chemical key, D. simulans males could be recognized by D. melanogaster females as a conspecific.
Moulin
Bruno
B
NAMC-CNRS UMR 8620, Université Paris-Sud, F-91405 Orsay Cedex, France. Bruno.Moulin@ibaic.u-psud.fr
Aubin
Thierry
T
Jallon
Jean-Marc
JM
D000475:Alkenes / Q000378:metabolism; D000819:Animal Communication; D000818:Animals; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D013016:Sound; D013045:Species Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014828:Vocalization, Animal
D000475:Alkenes; C050395:7-tricosene