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Journal of Experimental Biology 35,832-842 (1958)
Published by Company of Biologists 1958

The Effects of Temperature and of Egg-Laying on the Longevity of Drosophila Subobscura

J. MAYNARD SMITH ¹

¹ Department of Zoology, University College London

1. The adult life span of Drosophila subobscura has been measured at temperatures varying from 20° to 33° C. A sharp increase in the slope of the curve of log survival time against temperature occurs at temperatures above 31° C.

2. Changes which occur in individuals at 33° C. or above are reversible, at least in part, at 20° C.; but changes occurring at 30·5° C. are irreversible in the sense that the total survival time at 30·5° C. is not increased by intervening periods at 20° C.

3. Exposure of young adult flies to 30·5° C. for a period of about half their expectation of life at that temperature significantly increases the further expectation of life of females at 20° C. but does not alter the expectation of life of males. Such exposure causes a partial regression of the ovaries of females, a permanent change in their behaviour and a reduction in their rate of egg-laying; exposure does not alter the behaviour or seriously reduce the fertility of males.

4. ‘Ovariless’ females and virgin females live for significantly longer than do normal mated females. The expectation of life of ‘ovariless’ females at 20° C. is not altered by exposure to 30·5° C. It is concluded that egg-laying accelerates the ageing of females at 20° C., and that the prolongation of life of females exposed to 30·5° C. is due to the reduction in the rate at which such females subsequently lay eggs.

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