THE FLEXIBLE FLY - EXPERIENCE-DEPENDENT DEVELOPMENT OF COMPLEX BEHAVIORS IN DROSOPHILA-MELANOGASTER

We demonstrate that Drosophila melanogaster provides a rich model syst em for studying behavioral development. Two additions to the many well -known advantages of this species are exploited here. First, as in mam mals and higher vertebrates, early experience affects behavioral devel opment of Drasophila. Second, the affected behaviors are complex and y et readily studied in the laboratory. Thus, Drosophila can be used to study the developmental mechanisms by which organisms can optimize the ir behavioral repertoires to enhance their chances for survival. Evide nce that early experience affects development of preferences for speci fic visual patterns, male courtship and female responsiveness to court ing males is reviewed; in each case, experience modifies responses to behavioral targets. Our results demonstrate that developmental plastic ity allows adjustment of intrinsically determined responses to visual targets so that they can take into account the actual characteristics of the developing animal's environment. Furthermore, plasticity makes it possible to introduce 'cultural' and 'social' elements into courtsh ip and mate choice in insects. This previously unrecognized role for d evelopmental plasticity in insects has broad theoretical and practical implications.