Animals have many ways to sense their chemical environment, which vary depending on the species. Mammals use their tongues to taste, while fish and other aquatic creatures use their skin to taste. Insects, on the other hand, have taste buds not only inside their mouths but also outside their bodies.
Researchers found that fruit flies, known scientifically as: Drosophila melanogaster, they have developed unique ways to use their senses of smell and taste to find food and avoid danger in habitats ranging from forests to deserts. By studying how fruit flies' senses have changed over time, scientists hope to uncover how fruit flies adapted to their surroundings.
To investigate the sensory abilities of fruit flies, scientists at the University of Lussanne in Switzerland compared the smells and tastes of different fruit flies. They collected five different body parts that are essential for the flies' senses. These include: 1) the larva, 2) the part where the female lays eggs, 3) the front legs, 4) the antennae, and 5) the mouthparts with small finger-like structures called palpation. They collected these body parts from six different fruit fly species that are closely related to each other but live in different places and eat different things.
The researchers separated male and female fruit flies and performed three replicates for each sex and species. They knocked out the adults with CO2 for collection and experimental purposes. RNA sequencing technology was utilized to examine genes in specific parts of the fruit fly's body to understand how they adapt and respond to their environments.
Scientists analyzed gene activity in different parts of the fruit fly's body to determine how they adapt to stimuli. The data was stored in the Genomics Database for future research and analysis. They found that gene activity related to smell and taste varied among different parts of the fruit fly's body and between sexes, affecting mate selection and adaptation.
The researchers concluded that the genetic differences in smell and taste sensory organs are complex and may vary between species and sexes. They hope that further studies with larger sample sizes will provide insights into how these genetic differences help fruit flies adapt to changes in diet and habitat.
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Source: sciworthy.com
