Effect of temperature on behavioural isolation : A study with Drosophila ananassae populations.

ABSTRACT

Experiments were conducted to study sexual isolation among two natural populations of Drosophila ananassae maintained at 18 °C and 24 °C for 12 generations in the laboratory to see the effect of this environmental variable on behavioural isolation. Multiple choice technique was used and matings were observed directly in Elens Wattiaux mating chamber. Results showed sexual isolation among strains that were maintained at different temperatures, indicating that temperature may have affected the mating behaviour of the flies which resulted in the induction of ethological isolation among the strains.