Data from: Temporal variation favors the evolution of generalists in experimental populations of Drosophila melanogaster

We developed genotypes from each population at two temperatures after which we measured fecundity across eight temperatures. We predicted that constant environments would select for thermal specialists and that variable environments would select for thermal generalists. Contrary to our predictions, specialists and generalists did not evolve in constant and spatially variable environments, respectively.

However, temporal variation produced a type of generalist that has rarely been considered by theoretical models of developmental plasticity. Specifically, genotypes from the temporally variable selective environment were more fecund across all temperatures than were genotypes from other environments. These patterns suggest certain allelic effects and should inspire new directions for modeling adaptation to fluctuating environments.

Usage notes

Fecundity data development, selective environment, population, isofemale line, centroid size, fecundity at 14C, 16C, 20.5C, 25C, 28C, 320C, 32C, 36C. Fecunditydata.csv