Oviposition behavior in Drosophila melanogaster: genetic and behavioral decoupling between oviposition acceptance and preference for natural fruits

FANARA, JJ; BETTI, MIL; GANDINI, L; HASSON, E

JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2023 vol. 36 p. 251 - 263

1010-061X

In phytophagous insects, oviposition behavior is an important component of habitat selection and given the multiplicity of genetic and environmental factors affecting its expression, is defined as a complex character resulting from the sum of interdependent traits. Here we study two components of egg-laying behavior: oviposition acceptance (OA) and oviposition preference (OP) in Drosophila melanogaster using three natural fruits as resources (grape, tomato, and orange) by means of no-choice and two-choice experiments, respectively. This experimental design allowed us to show that the results obtained in two-choice assays (OP) cannot be accounted for by those resulting from no-choice assays (OA). Since the genomes of all lines used are completely sequenced, we perform a Genome Wide Association Study to identify and characterize the genetic underpinnings of these oviposition behavior traits. The analyses revealed different candidate genes affecting natural genetic variation of both OA and OP traits. Moreover, our results suggest behavioral and genetic decoupling between OA and OP and that egg-laying behavior is plastic and context dependent. Such independence in the genetic architectures of OA and OP variation may influence different aspects of oviposition behavior, including plasticity, canalization, host shift, maintenance of genetic variability, which contributes to the adoption of adaptive strategies during habitat selection.