Can Fruit Flies Reproduce Asexually?
WouterScientists have long wondered why the majority of species reproduce sexually. They’ve hypothesized that sexual reproduction has multiple benefits for species, including greater reproduction rates and the ability to produce more offspring. To answer this question, scientists from the University of California, Santa Barbara, studied the reproductive strategy of the common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. The researchers found that asexual reproduction can have evolutionary benefits as well.
In many insects, sex is important in determining the reproductive success of an individual. In flies, the first male fly fathers the vast majority of offspring. This means that the male fly must work extra hard to maintain his lineage. The male fly’s genitalia may even grasp the female fly in the air, but the actual copulation occurs on a solid surface.
Nevertheless, genetic recombination is not enough to prove sexual reproduction in all species. Scientists must study the genetics of the second generation of hybrids to determine if this behavior is true or not. Researchers also need to investigate whether the hybrids carry any genes involved in disease and immunity.
Earlier studies of fly reproduction focused on the mechanics of mating. However, more recent research has focused on the female fly’s role as the final decision maker. While the female fly doesn’t initiate copulation, she can modulate reproduction based on the male fly’s courtship song and pheromones. This is done through specific brain neurotransmitters that turn on or off during a crucial moment in the relationship.
