title: A model-based analysis of chemical and temporal patterns of cuticular hydrocarbons in male Drosophila melanogaster.
abstract: Drosophila Cuticular Hydrocarbons (CH) influence courtship behaviour, mating, aggregation, oviposition, and resistance to desiccation. We measured levels of 24 different CH compounds of individual male D. melanogaster hourly under a variety of environmental (LD/DD) conditions. Using a model-based analysis of CH variation, we developed an improved normalization method for CH data, and show that CH compounds have reproducible cyclic within-day temporal patterns of expression which differ between LD and DD conditions. Multivariate clustering of expression patterns identified 5 clusters of co-expressed compounds with common chemical characteristics. Turnover rate estimates suggest CH production may be a significant metabolic cost. Male cuticular hydrocarbon expression is a dynamic trait influenced by light and time of day; since abundant hydrocarbons affect male sexual behavior, males may present different pheromonal profiles at different times and under different conditions.
authors: Department of Biology, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Clement
authors: C
authors: Kent
authors: Reza
authors: R
authors: Azanchi
authors: Ben
authors: B
authors: Smith
authors: Adrienne
authors: A
authors: Chu
authors: Joel
authors: J
authors: Levine
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000032:analysis; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D006838:Hydrocarbons; D012724:Sex Attractants