Fruit fly species residing in the Sonoran Desert of North America are faced with a suite of ecological challenges. The desert is extremely hot. The resources that the flies use to feed and breed are toxic to many organisms. These flies are able to flourish in such an inhospitable place because of adaptations at many biological levels, from their metabolic chemistry to their mating behaviors. Understanding the nature of these adaptations has broad implications for all organisms, especially under conditions of global warming and habitat disturbance. The work to be undertaken during this 5 year project will explore certain components of the ecology and population biology of these insects: their ability to withstand heat stress, their longevity, temporal and spatial qualities of their abiotic and biotic environments.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Environmental Biology (DEB)
Application #
9510645
Program Officer
Scott L. Collins
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1995-09-01
Budget End
1999-08-06
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1995
Total Cost
$308,766
Indirect Cost
Name
Arizona State University
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Tempe
State
AZ
Country
United States
Zip Code
85281