Life stage-related differences in hardening and acclimation of thermal tolerance traits in the kelp fly, Paractora dreuxi (Diptera, Helcomyzidae)

• Published in: Journal of Insect Physiology
• Main Authors: Marais E., Terblanche J.S., Chown S.L.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: acclimation; age-related difference; behavioral response; developmental stage; fly; hardening; heat shock; ontogeny; phenotypic plasticity; temperature tolerance; acclimatization; animal; article; Indian Ocean; larva; life cycle; physiology; South Africa; survival; temperature; Animals; Diptera; Indian Ocean Islands; Life Cycle Stages; Survival Analysis; Coelopidae; Helcomyzidae; Paractora dreuxi; Antarctic; Indian; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/11275; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinsphys.2008.11.016

It is widely appreciated that physiological tolerances differ between life stages. However, few studies have examined stage-related differences in acclimation and hardening. In addition, the behavioural responses involved in determining the form and extent of the short-term phenotypic response are rarely considered. Here, we investigate life stage differences in the acclimation and hardening responses of the survival of a standard heat shock (SHS) and standard low temperature (or cold) shock (SCS), and the crystallization temperature (or supercooling point, SCP) of adults and larvae of the sub-Antarctic kelp fly, Paractora dreuxi. These stages live in the same habitat, but differ substantially in their mobility and thus environmental temperatures experienced. Results showed that neither acclimation nor hardening affected the lower lethal limits in larvae or adults. Adults showed an increase in survival of upper lethal limits after low temperature acclimation, whilst larvae showed a consistent lack of response. The acclimation × hardening interaction significantly affected the SCP in adults, but no response to either acclimation or hardening was found in the larvae. This study further demonstrates the complexities of thermal tolerance responses in P. dreuxi. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Article