Olfactory response and resource utilization in Drosophila: interspecific comparisons
1984
HOFFMANN, A.A. | PARSONS, P.A.
Olfactory response and resource utilization in Drosophila were compared among three domestic (D. melanogaster, D. simulans, D. immigrans) and one Australian endemic (D. lativittata) species. Olfactory response was measured in a choice type olfactometer (Fuyama, 1976). The following chemicals common in Drosophila resources were used as odourants: acetaldehyde, acetic acid, propionic acid, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol. Resource status of these chemicals was determined either from the literature or by adult longevity tests. All species were attracted by acetaldehyde, while methanol, isopropanol and n-butanol were unattractive. Ethanol attracted all species except D. immigrans, while only D. lativittata and D. melanogaster were attracted to n-propanol, propionic acid and acetic acid Methanol and isopropanol were not utilized as resources by any of the species, while D. melanogaster and D. lativittata showed greater utilization/tolerance of the other chemicals. Some correlation between resource utilization and olfactory response was found at the interspecific level, although not all chemicals utilized as resources are attractants. The adaptive significance of the interspecific variation in olfactory response is discussed, especially in relation to habitats selected. The results provide suggestions for habitat selection studies at the intraspecific level.
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