Host Preference and Olfaction in Drosophila mojavensis. (9th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Crowley-Gall, Amber; Shaw, Mary; Rollmann, Stephanie M
• Is Part Of: Journal of heredity. Volume 110:Number 1(2019)
• Page Start: 68
• Page End: 79
• Publication Date: 2018-10-09
• Subjects: behavior -- chemosensory -- maxillary palp -- single sensillum recording; Breeding -- Periodicals; Plant breeding -- Periodicals; Heredity -- Periodicals; 576.5
• DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esy052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1503

Abstract

Abstract: Many organisms live in complex environments that vary geographically in resource availability. This environmental heterogeneity can lead to changes within species in their phenotypic traits. For example, in many herbivorous insects, variation in host plant availability has been shown to influence insect host preference behavior. This behavior can be mediated in part through the insect olfactory system and the odor-evoked responses of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), which are in turn mediated by their corresponding odorant receptor genes. The desert dwelling fly Drosophila mojavensis is a model species for understanding the mechanisms underlying host preference in a heterogeneous environment. Depending on geographic region, one to multiple host plant species are available. Here, we conducted electrophysiological studies and found variation in responses of ORNs to host plant volatiles both within and between 2 populations—particularly to the odorant 4-methylphenol. Flies from select localities within each population were found to lack a response to 4-methylphenol. Experiments then assessed the extent to which these electrophysiological differences were associated with differences in several odor-mediated behavioral responses. No association between the presence/absence of these odor-evoked responses and short range olfactory behavior or oviposition behavior was observed. However, differences in odor-induced feeding behavior in response to 4-methylphenol were found. Localities that exhibit an odor-evoked response to the odorant had increased feeding behavior in the presence of the odorant. This study sets the stage for future work examining the functional genetics underlying variation in odor perception.