Model of resource reallocation during physiological adaptation of females of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata

The results of studying the life span and fertility of females of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata suggest that an increase in the mean life span is accompanied by a proportional decrease in the mean number of eggs laid. At the same time, the data on the individual life span and number of eggs laid are indicative of a positive correlation between these indices. To explain these and other relationships exhibited during adaptation, a mathematical model is proposed. The model describes resource reallocation between the two main functions of the organism: reproduction and self-maintenance. A signal for reallocation is a change in the environmental conditions (diet), and the parameters of the new allocation are determined by the state of the individual. The calculations reveal a significant role of selection and intrapopulation heterogeneity in the the balance between fertility and life span. Copyright © 2004 by MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".

Duke Scholars

Author Anatoli I. Yashin Social Science Research Institute