title: Desiccation stress induces developmental heterochrony in Drosophila melanogaster.
abstract: Stressful environments are known to perturb developmental patterns in insects. In the purview of desiccation as a stressor, relatively little is known about the developmental consequences linked with desiccation tolerance. In this study, we have particularly focused on the exploration of the temporal profile of postembryonic development in response to desiccation exposure in Drosophila melanogaster and the associated trade-offs. We document a correlation between variations in 20-hydroxyecdysone levels and the altered timing of metamorphic events during the life cycle. Following desiccation, we observed an extension in the larval longevity whereas the duration of the pupal and adult stages was significantly shortened. Alternately, feeding of 20-hydroxyecdysone apparently led to the restoration of the normal temporal pattern of development in the desiccated group. In spite of the desiccation-responsive heterochronic shifts in development, the overall lifespan post recovery remained almost unaltered among the desiccated and undesiccated groups suggesting plasticity in developmental control. This observation reminisces 'canalization-like' phenomenon that buffers alterations in the overall lifespan. We thus identified a desiccationresponsive period in the lifespan of D. melanogaster during which variations in ecdysone levels are capable to alter the temporal course of development.
authors: Stress Biology Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411 007, India.
authors: Leena
authors: L
authors: Thorat
authors: Dasharath P
authors: DP
authors: Oulkar
authors: Kaushik
authors: K
authors: Banerjee
authors: Bimalendu B
authors: BB
authors: Nath
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003890:Desiccation; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D004441:Ecdysterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007814:Larva / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological / Q000235:genetics*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000235:genetics*; D014867:Water / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D004441:Ecdysterone