Are Signals of Local Environmental Adaptation Diluted by Laboratory Culture?
Description
Raw data for: Are Signals of Local Environmental Adaptation Diluted by Laboratory Adaptation? Abstract: Insects have the ability to readily adapt to changes in environmental conditions, however the strength of local environmental adaptation signals under divergent conditions and the occurrence of trait inertia after relaxation of selection, or the strength of any local environmental adaptation signal under divergent conditions, remains poorly understood, especially for traits of climate stress resistance (CSR) and their phenotypic plasticity. The strength of environmental adaptation signals depends on several selection pressures present in the local environment whilst trait inertia often occurs when there is a weakening or removal of a source of selection. Here, using Drosophila melanogaster, we asked whether signals of adaptation in CSR traits (critical thermal limits, heat and chill survival, and, desiccation and starvation resistance) persist during laboratory adaptation after exposure to laboratory culture for different durations (two vs. ten generations) across multiple four climatically distinct populations. We show that culture duration has large effects on CSR traits and can both amplify or dilute signals of local adaptation. Effects were however dependent upon interactions between the source population and, acclimation (adult acclimation at either 18°C, 23°C, or 28°C) conditions and sex of the flies. Trait plasticity is markedly affected by the interaction between population, acclimation, and duration in the laboratory. Therefore, a complex matrix of dynamic CSR trait responses is shown in space and time. Given these strong interaction effects, ‘snapshot’ estimates of environmental adaptation can result in misleading conclusions about the fitness consequences of climate variability. Data deposited: Temperature treatment data (CTmax and CTmin) of Drosophila melanogaster in response to source population, time spent in culture and acclimation treatments (Population temperature treatments.xlxs) Heat and chill survival data in response of Drosophila melanogaster in response to source population, time spent in culture and acclimation treatments (Population Heat&Chill.xlsx). Survival treatment data (Desiccation, Starvation and a control) of Drosophila melanogaster in response to source population, time spent in culture and acclimation treatments (Population survival treatments). R scripts for: CTmin and CTmax.R Heat and Chill.R Survival population.R README.txt file explaining names .xlsx), an Excel file containing whole body measurements of Na, Mg, P, K, Ca, Fe present in the bodies of Drosophila melanogaster, obtained through ICP-MS analysis (ICP MS results.xlsx) and an Excel file containing wing measurements and mass data for Drosophila melanogaster from different treatments (Wing measurements.xlsx). Scripts: Drosophila flight data.R, Ions.R and Wing.measrements.R