Cold Acclimation Improves Survival of Fruit Fly Larvae
Author Information
Author(s): Koštál Vladimír, Korbelová Jaroslava, Rozsypal Jan, Zahradníčková Helena, Cimlová Jana, Tomčala Aleš, Šimek Petr
Primary Institution: Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Hypothesis
Does long-term cold acclimation improve cold tolerance and modify metabolomic profiles in Drosophila melanogaster larvae?
Conclusion
Long-term cold acclimation significantly enhances cold tolerance in Drosophila melanogaster larvae and alters their metabolomic profiles.
Supporting Evidence
- Long-term cold acclimation extended the lethal time for 50% of the population (Lt50) at 0°C from 0.137 h to 86.658 h.
- Metabolomic profiling showed significant changes in the concentrations of various metabolites, including proline and trehalose.
- Survival rates improved significantly with acclimation at lower temperatures.
Takeaway
When fruit fly larvae get used to the cold for a long time, they can survive much longer in freezing temperatures.
Methodology
The larvae were acclimated at different temperatures and then tested for survival at 0°C, with metabolomic profiling conducted to assess biochemical changes.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on one developmental stage of Drosophila melanogaster and may not generalize to other stages or species.
Participant Demographics
Third-instar larvae of Drosophila melanogaster.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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