Tiny fruit flies use cold hard logic to select mates

Fruit flies — the tiny insects that swarm our kitchens over the summer months — exhibit rational decision making when selecting mates, according to  Science daily.

Researchers observed different combinations of fruit flies mate about 2,700 times, and were surprised to discover that male flies almost always pick the female mate that would produce the most offspring.

“The cognitive process of making rational choices is something we often think of as uniquely human,” said zoologist Devin Arbuthnott.

 “While it is largely unknown whether animals are capable of making rational choices, this study provides the first evidence that fruit flies can, and do.”

In the experiment, conducted by Arbuthnott and colleagues, single male fruit flies where given the choice between two potential mates.

The researchers could tell the fruit flies were making consistent choices because flies would select mates based on a linear hierarchy. The top choice, A, would be picked over the second-best option, B, 70 to 100 per cent of the time.

When given the choice between second-best mate option B and third-best C, males would still follow the hierarchy. That trend continued down the line of ten different females.

Ten genetically different strains of females were paired in all 45 possible combinations in the trials, and each combination was preformed 12 to 20 times.

While it’s unclear what female characteristics are driving the choices, chemical signals, and female receptivity (speed from courtship to matting) appear to be factors.

When the researchers impaired either the male flies’ sight or sense of smell, the flies where still able to constantly select preferred female mates. When both sight and sense of smell where impaired, the mating rate dropped dramatically.

Arbuthnott wants to investigate variation in females and what genes are associated with attractive traits.

 

N.H.Kh

 

You might also like
Latest news
Workshop about situation of the Financing Market for Micro and Small Enterprises kicks off Four martyred in initial toll in Israeli occupation new raid on Beirut city center Syria, Cuba discuss promoting trade ties Syria Receives Two Gold and Two Silver Medals at The Arab Kickboxing Tournament in Egypt   Terrorist Ben-Gvir Storms Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron “China's Views-The Syrian War and Europe” a Book by Chinese Researchers Translated by Safwan Bahloul Yemeni Forces Target an Israeli Enemy Base South of Occupied Palestine with a Ballistic Missile UN Calls for Accountability of Those Responsible for Targeting Humanitarian Workers in Gaza and Leba... Russia Strongly Condemns Israel's Aggression Against Palmyra... It is a Flagrant Violation of Syrian... 25 Martyrs and Dozens Wounded in the Occupation Bombing of Various Areas of the Gaza Strip Three European Countries Announce their Readiness to Arrest Netanyahu and Gallant if They are on The... Organization of Islamic Cooperation: Issuing Arrest Warrants Against Netanyahu and Gallant Contribut... The Feature Film (Temporary Darkness) Participates in The Hague Film Festival in the Netherlands Syrian Doctor Receives Best Clinical Presentation at Diabetic Foot Conference in Los Angeles Iravani: Israel's Repeated Attacks on Syrian Territory Have Reached an Unprecedented Level of Crimin... The State of Palestine Welcomes The Issuance of Two Arrest Warrants Against Netanyahu and Gallant The First ALECSO Early Childhood Forum Concluded its Events in Tunisia Al-Dahhak: Security Council's failure to fulfill its responsibilities encourages Israeli occupation ... ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant over war crimes Two Syrian films participate in the first session of the Fayoum Film Festival in Cairo