Desiccation stress induces developmental heterochrony in Drosophila melanogaster.
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Date
2016-09
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Abstract
Stressful environments are known to perturb developmental patterns in insects. In the purview of desiccation as a
stressor, relatively little is known about the developmental consequences linked with desiccation tolerance. In this
study, we have particularly focused on the exploration of the temporal profile of postembryonic development in
response to desiccation exposure in Drosophila melanogaster and the associated trade-offs. We document a correlation
between variations in 20-hydroxyecdysone levels and the altered timing of metamorphic events during the life
cycle. Following desiccation, we observed an extension in the larval longevity whereas the duration of the pupal and
adult stages was significantly shortened. Alternately, feeding of 20-hydroxyecdysone apparently led to the restoration
of the normal temporal pattern of development in the desiccated group. In spite of the desiccation-responsive
heterochronic shifts in development, the overall lifespan post recovery remained almost unaltered among the
desiccated and undesiccated groups suggesting plasticity in developmental control. This observation reminisces
‘canalization-like’ phenomenon that buffers alterations in the overall lifespan. We thus identified a desiccationresponsive
period in the lifespan of D. melanogaster during which variations in ecdysone levels are capable to alter the
temporal course of development.
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Keywords
20-Hydroxyecdysone, canalization, desiccation, developmental heterochrony, Drosophila melanogaster
Citation
Thorat Leena, Oulkar Dasharath P, Banerjee Kaushik, Nath Bimalendu B. Desiccation stress induces developmental heterochrony in Drosophila melanogaster. Journal of Biosciences. 2016 Sept; 41(3): 331-339.