Life History Traits and Thermal Tolerance of Drosophila affinis Flies from Elevational Transects
Conference Year
2023
Abstract
On mountains, climate varies elevationally, applying different selective pressures on organisms. This study aims to use the fruit fly species, D.affinis along elevational transects to test for local adaptation of thermal tolerance and life history traits and quantify gene flow between populations. To investigate elevational differences, fly lines were derived from Camel’s Hump Mountain, Vermont. Metrics for thermal tolerance and life history traits were measured and a phylogenetic tree was constructed using mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequences. Evidence for improved cold tolerance at higher elevations was found, suggesting that colder climates have resulted in local adaptation.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Sara Helms Cahan
Graduate Student Mentors
Katie Borra
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Program/Major
Biological Science
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
Life History Traits and Thermal Tolerance of Drosophila affinis Flies from Elevational Transects
On mountains, climate varies elevationally, applying different selective pressures on organisms. This study aims to use the fruit fly species, D.affinis along elevational transects to test for local adaptation of thermal tolerance and life history traits and quantify gene flow between populations. To investigate elevational differences, fly lines were derived from Camel’s Hump Mountain, Vermont. Metrics for thermal tolerance and life history traits were measured and a phylogenetic tree was constructed using mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequences. Evidence for improved cold tolerance at higher elevations was found, suggesting that colder climates have resulted in local adaptation.