Toxin-tolerance
Guides
Drosophila tripunctata
Drosophila tripunctata is a mycophagous vinegar fly in the Immigrans-tripunctata radiation of subgenus Drosophila. It exhibits tolerance to α-amanitin, a cyclopeptide mushroom toxin found in Amanita mushrooms that inhibits RNA polymerase II, allowing it to utilize toxic mushrooms as larval hosts. Genetic variation in toxin tolerance exists among populations, and this adaptation appears intrinsic to the fly's genome rather than mediated by gut microbiota. The species shows genetic variation in host preference within and among populations, and adults display acclimation and adaptive behavioral responses to combined temperature and desiccation stress.