Impact of population density on body weight in experimental populations of Drosophila ananassae

Impact of population densities on adult body weight was studied in both sexes of Drosophila ananassae. For this purpose, parental flies were cultured in the number of 5 pairs, 15 pairs, 25 pairs, 75 pairs and 125 pairs in culture bottles and their progeny (males and females separately) were weighed. Flies derived from 5 pairs of parents possessed maximum body weight and those obtained from 25 pairs of parents showed minimum weight indicating gradual decrease in their body weight. However, progeny obtained from 75 and 125 pairs of parents showed an increase in the body weight. Further, a significant difference was observed in the body weight of the two sexes in all the groups studied. These results indicate that varying density leaves its impact on the body weight.