Characterizing Sexual Selection in a Wild Population of Protopiophila litigata (Diptera: Piophilidae) and Analyzing the Combined Effects of Cuticular Hydrocarbons and Wing Interference Patterns on Male Mating Success in Drosophila serrata

Abstract

One of the major research challenges is the ability to test selective forces in a wild population. A recent discovery of a new dipteran species, Protopiophila litigata, can enable researches to test selection in the wild. Most research has focused on mating behaviour, male mating success and senescence. In this study a small sample of wild mating and non-mating flies were collected, cuticular hydrocarbons were extracted and morphometric traits were obtained to assess the strength of sexual selection. There was significant linear sexual selection on cuticular hydrocarbons and, mid tibia length, hind tibia length and wing length. Overall, further establishes P. litigata as a model species for studying selection in the wild.

Earlier studies have demonstrated strong sexual selection on male cuticular hydrocarbons in Drosophila serrata. Recently wing interference patterns have been documented to be under sexual selection in Drosophila melanogaster. A sample of cuticular hydrocarbons and wing interference pattern values were analyzed to understand the combined effects on male mating success. Cuticular hydrocarbons were under sexual selection, however wing interference patterns were not. Overall, this study confirms selection on cuticular hydrocarbons, but highlights the difficulty in accurately capturing and measuring wing interference patterns.