Biological stoichiometry of growth in Drosophila melanogaster

Thomas Watts, H. Arthur Woods, Sarah Hargand, James Elser, Therese A. Markow

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

We examined the relationship between growth rate, C:N:P stoichiometry, and nucleic acid content in Drosophila melanogaster. The "Growth Rate Hypothesis" predicts that N and P contents per unit body mass will be high during ontogenetic stages characterized by rapid growth, reflecting the large requirement for P-rich ribosomal RNA during these periods. The ratio of RNA:DNA also is predicted to change with changes in growth rate. Growth is rapid in early D. melanogaster larvae, slowing considerably just prior to pupation. As predicted, a positive relationship was found between growth rate and N and P content, but not C. Thus, body C:P and N:P ratios declined with increasing growth rate. The relationship between RNA content and growth rate also was positive. Additionally, the fraction of total body P contributed by ribosomal RNA increased with increasing growth rate.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)187-193
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of insect physiology
Volume52
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2006

Keywords

  • Growth rate
  • Nitrogen
  • Phosphorus
  • RNA

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Insect Science

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