Protein-alkaloid interaction in larval diet affects fitness in cactophilic Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

VRDOLJAK, J.; J. PADRÓ; D. DE PANIS; I. M. SOTO; V. P. CARREIRA

BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2019

0024-4066

Drosophila koepferae and D. buzzatii are closely related cactophilic species with overlapping distributions in Andean regions. Both species exploit necrotic tissues and while the former breeds and feeds mostly in columnar cacti of Trichocereus and Cereus genera rich in secondary metabolites, the latter exploits primary less toxic host of the genus Opuntia. Although secondary metabolites have been related to the pattern of host exploitation, the microbial community associated to cacti necrosis could also play a key role in flies? nutrition and/or alkaloid tolerance. We investigated the interaction between natural alkaloids and a yeast-protein supplement on both fly species raised in each type of cactus separately. We found that alkaloids reduced viability in both species, while a diet poor in protein reduced it only in D. buzzatii, especially when raised in Trichocereus. Concerning to fitness traits that are related to adulthood, the addition of yeasts caused positive effects while the absence of these resulted in strong detrimental effects. We present evidence of antagonistic effects on fitness and an interaction between alkaloids and proteins when these components are present in the flies? diets.