Ejk. Noach et al., WING BEAT FREQUENCIES IN DROSOPHILA-MELANOGASTER SELECTED FOR DIFFERENT WING LENGTHS, Netherlands journal of zoology, 47(3), 1997, pp. 241-253
Wing beat frequencies (w.b.f.) and plasticity of w.b.f. were investiga
ted in Drosophila melanogaster lines selected for Long and Short wings
at two different temperatures. Flies were glued with their thorax to
a thin thread and wing beat frequency was determined by use of a strob
oscope. Flights were performed at two different ambient or Flight temp
eratures. Wing length and wing area were measured afterwards. Wing bea
t frequency increased with increasing temperature except in the Long l
ine selected at 20 degrees C: most lines showed phenotypic plasticity
in w.b.f. In the lines selected at 25 degrees C the Short line had a s
ignificantly higher w.b.f. than the Control and Long line at both Flig
ht temperatures. The genetic differences in w.b.f. between the lines r
emained constant. Lines selected at 20 degrees C showed no differences
in w.b.f. at both Flight temperatures. Significant Genotype-by-Enviro
nment interactions were observed. Various hypotheses are posed for the
adaptive significance of changes in w.b.f. due to temperature, in ter
ms of wing load, flight muscles and optimal flight temperatures.