Gut microbiome modulates Drosophila aggression through octopamine signaling.

Gut microbiome profoundly affects many aspects of host physiology and behaviors. Here we report that gut microbiome modulates aggressive behaviors in Drosophila. We found that germ-free males showed substantial decrease in inter-male aggression, which could be rescued by microbial re-colonization.

Complete Genome Sequence of Serratia marcescens FY, Isolated from Drosophila melanogaster.

In nature, the fruit fly frequently encounters various pathogens that cause a decrease in host fitness. Here, we present the genome sequence of strain FY, which was isolated from the intestines of a specimen. The complete genome sequence comprises one chromosome of 5,074,453 bp and two plasmids of 100,934 bp and 87,789 bp.

Symbiotic bacteria attenuate Drosophila oviposition repellence to alkaline through acidification.

Metazoans harbor a wealth of symbionts that are ever-changing the environment by taking up resources and/or excreting metabolites. One such common environmental modification is a change in pH. Conventional wisdom holds that symbionts facilitate the survival and production of their hosts in the wild, but this notion lacks empirical evidence.

Capsaicin Functions as Drosophila Ovipositional Repellent and Causes Intestinal Dysplasia.

Plants generate a plethora of secondary compounds (toxins) that potently influence the breadth of the breeding niches of animals, including Drosophila. Capsaicin is an alkaloid irritant from hot chili peppers, and can act as a deterrent to affect animal behaviors, such as egg laying choice. However, the mechanism underlying this ovipositional avoidance remains unknown.