Bacteria Choose Fruit Flies Mates

A type of bacteria found in fruit flies has been found to influence mate choice by changing the pheromones produced by the fly.

Researchers found that changing the flies diets, changed the types of bacteria found in the body of the flies, which in turn changed their mating preference.

To test that the preferences were due to bacteria rather than the flies themselves, the researchers fed the flies antibiotics to kill off the bacteria. When the bacteria was absent the flies were seen to mate randomly, confirming the role of the bacteria in the mating preferences.

The researchers are now extending their study to see whether the bacteria affect choice by changing pheromones, or by some other method.

To find out more:

Original Paper: Sharon et al (2010), Commensal bacteria play a role in mating preference of Drosophila melanogaster. PNAS

Articles: ScienceMag - Bacteria help flies select mates