Robinson S J W, Partridge L
Department of Biology, University College London, Galton Laboratory, London, UK.
J Evol Biol. 2001 Jan 8;14(1):14-21. doi: 10.1046/j.1420-9101.2001.00259.x.
Geographic clines in ectotherm species including Drosophila melanogaster have been found throughout the world, with genetically larger body size and shorter development time occurring at high latitudes. Temperature is thought to play a major role in the evolution of this clinal variation. Laboratory thermal selection has effects similar to those seen in geographical clines. Evolution at low temperatures results in more rapid development to larger adult flies. This study investigated the effects of geographical origin and experimental temperature on larval growth efficiency in D. melanogaster. Larvae from populations that had evolved at high latitudes were found to use limited food more efficiently, so that the overall adult body size achieved was larger. Larvae reared at a lower experimental temperature (18 °C) used food more efficiently than those reared at a higher temperature (25 °C). The increases in growth efficiency found in populations from high latitudes could explain their increased body size and more rapid development.
在包括黑腹果蝇在内的变温动物物种中，地理渐变群在世界各地都有发现，在高纬度地区出现基因决定的更大体型和更短发育时间。温度被认为在这种渐变变异的进化中起主要作用。实验室热选择具有与地理渐变群中所见类似的效果。在低温下的进化导致发育更快，成年果蝇体型更大。本研究调查了地理起源和实验温度对黑腹果蝇幼虫生长效率的影响。发现来自高纬度地区进化而来的种群的幼虫能更有效地利用有限食物，从而使成年果蝇的总体体型更大。在较低实验温度（18°C）下饲养的幼虫比在较高温度（25°C）下饲养的幼虫更有效地利用食物。在高纬度地区种群中发现的生长效率提高可以解释它们体型的增加和发育的加快。
