Drosophila sechellia as a Modelin Chemosensory Neuroecology

摘要

The olfactory system directly interfaces with the environment, and thus changes inthe environment or an animal's habits would presumably also lead to changes in theolfactory system. Comparative studies on specialized animals with known generalistancestors could hence be a way of revealing general processes shaping olfactory sys-tems as well as highlighting the importance and function of specific chemosensorygenes. Drosophila sechellia, a close relative of D. melanogaster, and highly specializedtowards the use of the toxic Morinda fruit, has been the subject of several studies aimedat pinpointing the consequences of host choice to the chemosensory system, from themolecular level to behavior. This paper highlights some recent (and not so recent) ad-vances this area and concludes with a brief discussion on the antiquity of the D.sechellia—Morinda connection.