Abstract
We used quantitative genetics to test a controversial theory of heat stress, in which animals overheat when the demand for oxygen exceeds the supply. This theory, referred to as oxygen- and capacity-limited thermal tolerance, predicts a positive genetic correlation between hypoxia tolerance and heat tolerance. We demonstrate the first genetic correlation of this kind in a model organism, Drosophila melanogaster. Genotypes more likely to fly under hypoxic stress (12% O2) were also more likely to fly under heat stress (398C). This finding prompts new questions about mechanisms and limits of adaptation to heat stress.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 20170309 |
Journal | Biology letters |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 1 2017 |
Keywords
- Drosophila
- Hypoxia
- Oxygen
- Performance
- Temperature
- Tolerance
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)
- General Agricultural and Biological Sciences