LTREB: Population Biology and Ecology of Sonoran Desert Drosophila

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Four species of fruitfly are endemic to the hot Sonoran Desert of Arizona and Mexico. These flies live in association with decaying arms and stems of giant columnar cacti. In order to understand how organisms are able to adapt to the harsh desert environment and the toxic chemicals found in certain natural foods, we are studying these desert flies as a model system. The work in involves seasonal monitoring of the availability of decaying cacti as breeding sites and the insects associated with them. It also uses laboratory tests of traits such as heat and desiccation resistance to understand the basis for adaptations to these conditions. As global warming continues, it is imperative that we understand the capability of organisms to adapt to changing conditions or face extinction. The results of this work are directly applicable to all organisms, including insects that vector disease and insects that are agriculture pests.