DOES AN EXTENSION OF THE DEVELOPMENTAL PERIOD IN DROSOPHILA CAUSE THEPROLONGATION OF ADULT LIFE

It is accepted by some authors that by stretching the developmental pr ogram, by lowering the developmental temperature in a physiological ra nge, adult longevity can be prolonged. In order to test this hypothesi s in Drosophila melanogaster two groups of flies were acclimated at 20 and 28 degrees C by self mating for 10 generations. The life tables f or both sexes of the two temperature groups of flies were constructed at both temperatures. Flies raised at 28 degrees C had a very similar life span at 28 degrees C in comparison to those raised at 20 degrees C. Again the flies developed at 20 degrees C and tested at 20 degrees C did not live for a shorter period than those raised at 28 degrees C and tested at 20 degrees C. When the life spans of the two temperature groups of flies were measured at 25 degrees C, again no significant d ifferences were observed between the averages of the flies collected f rom the 20 degrees C and 28 degrees C cultures. It is concluded that t he life span of both male and female flies is independent of developme ntal temperature. The pertinent data on the subject is compared with o urs and the subject evaluated.