In this paper we use an adjusted ellipse to the contour of the wings of Drosophila as an experimental model to study phenotypic plasticity. The geometric properties of the ellipse describe the wing morphology. Size is the geometric mean of its two radii; shape is the ratio between them; and, the positions of the apexes of the longitudinal veins are determined by their angular distances to the major axis of the ellipse. Flies of an inbred laboratory strain of Drosophila melanogaster raised at two temperatures (16.5 degrees C and 25 degrees C) and two densities (10 and 100 larvae per vial) were used. One wing of at least 40 animals of each sex and environmental condition were analyzed (total = 380), a measurement of thorax length was also taken. Wing size variation could be approximately divided into two components: one related to shape variation and the other shape independent. The latter was influenced primarily by temperature, while the former was related to sex and density. A general pattern could be identified for the shape dependent variation: when wings become larger they become longer and the second, fourth and fifth longitudinal veins get closer to the tip of the wing.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/a:1003765106652 | DOI Listing |
Ecol Evol
January 2025
Department of Biology, Barnard College Columbia University New York New York USA.
Males in many species show courtship and mating preferences for certain females over others when given the choice. One of the most common targets of male mate choice in insects is female body size, with males preferring to court and mate with larger, higher-fecundity females and investing more resources in matings with those females. Although this preference is well-documented at the species level, less is known about how this preference varies within species and whether there is standing genetic variation for male mate choice within populations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNat Commun
January 2025
Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, USA.
Horizontal transfer of genetic material in eukaryotes has rarely been documented over short evolutionary timescales. Here, we show that two retrotransposons, Shellder and Spoink, invaded the genomes of multiple species of the melanogaster subgroup within the last 50 years. Through horizontal transfer, Spoink spread in D.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlzheimers Dement
December 2024
Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Background: Despite some advances in treatment, a cure for Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains elusive. Disease hallmarks include heightened neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, associated with progressive decline in mobility and cognitive functions. Natural compounds provide a valuable reservoir of novel bioactive substances with therapeutic potential, fewer side effects, and increased affordability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Dairy Sci
January 2025
Key Laboratory of Specialty Agri-product Quality and Hazard Controlling Technology of Zhejiang Province, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310018, China. Electronic address:
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) have been studied for their antioxidant properties, which can mitigate oxidative stress and improve health outcomes. The study aimed to compare the antioxidant properties of single and binary L.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Appl Toxicol
January 2025
Laboratorio de Genética y Toxicología Ambiental-Banco de Moscas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a known water disinfection byproduct (DBP) characterized as a potent hepatotoxin, promutagen, and probable human carcinogen; this is because of the metabolites associated with its biotransformation. The metabolism of NDMA produces formaldehyde, another alkylating agent and DBP. Both compounds are generated from natural and anthropogenic sources, but the safety restrictions applied to NDMA do not extend to the uses of formaldehyde.
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