Developmental timing of Drosophila pachea pupae is robust to temperature changes

Abstract

AbstractRearing temperature is correlated with the timing and speed of development in a wide range of poikiloterm animals that do not regulate their body temperature. However, exceptions exist, especially in species that live in environments with high temperature extremes or oscillations. Drosophila pachea is endemic to the Sonoran desert in Mexico, in which temperatures and temperature variations are extreme. We wondered if the developmental timing in D. pachea may be sensitive to differing rearing temperatures or if it remains constant. We determined the overall timing of the Drosophila pachea life-cycle at 25°C and 29°C. The duration of pupal development was similar at both temperatures although the relative progress differed at particular stages. Thus, D. pachea may have evolved mechanisms to buffer temperature influence on developmental speed, potentially to ensure proper development and individual’s fitness in desert climate conditions.HighlightsIn poikilotherms, developmental speed usually increases with rearing temperatureGlobal pupal development of D. pachea is similar at two different rearing temperaturesDiscrete temperature dependent timing differences at specific pupal stagesD. pachea development is longer compared to other Drosophila speciesTemperature-buffering mechanisms may have evolved to ensure a proper development