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Ontogenesis of Drosophila courtship song: a comparative study of two sibling species D. melanogaster and D. simulans [abstract]

B. Moulin, T. Aubin, F. Rybak and J. M. Jallon (2002). Ontogenesis of Drosophila courtship song: a comparative study of two sibling species D. melanogaster and D. simulans [abstract]. Bioacoustics, Volume 13 (1): 78

 

Abstract: 

In the analysis of sensory signals implicated in Drosophila reproductive physiology, all of the channels of communication were explored. The acoustic communication allows rapid transmission with precise characteristics. The Interpulse Interval of 34 ± 2 ms has a major specific marker role. Our method allows us to conduct an exhaustive study of the Drosophila male's courtship song. For comparison, we used the parameters currently used in the literature and in addition we also used some novel parameters. For D. melanogaster, there are 3 ways in which maturation of the acoustic parameters occur: 1) some are maturely tuned from 12 hours; 2) two increase strongly and regularly following ageing; 3) two change roughly and precociously between 12 and 17 hours. Thirty-three hours seems to be the age of acoustic production maturity in D. melanogaster. For D. simulans, the majority of the parameters are maturely tuned from the first step. This work shows important differences in the maturation of the acoustic production in two sibling species, D. melanogaster and D. simulans. From their common ancestor, D. melanogaster sped up its display while D. simulans maintained an IPI closer to that of its ancestor.