The tight association between yeast metabolites and the attraction of fly species provides key evolutionary innovations that generate immense diversity within the genus Drosophila. Why and how changes in Drosophila niche preferences occur, and what role yeasts play in species specialization, is still largely unknown. Here, we analyze adult preference and larval development across three species of Drosophila as well as niche modifications through joint efforts by both insect and yeast. In general, we found that niche specialization is more a result of larval constraints than adult oviposition choice. We also determined that different life stages of fly development vary in their respective yeast preference, which may reduce cross‐generational competition for resources. In this way, natural selection pressures may act quite differently on adult or larval performance, with adaptation events in larval stages likely being the stronger driver of niche evolution. Furthermore, we provide evidence that Drosophila and yeast together process host material to promote mutual benefits. Our data indicate that adult Drosophila flies of different species are flexible in their yeast preference and can be attracted to yeast species from radically different habitats. This argues against stable Drosophila‐yeast associations and for broader acceptance of diverse yeast species across adult individuals in the genus Drosophila.

中文翻译：

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对相关酵母群落的可变依赖性影响果蝇物种的寄主范围

酵母代谢物与蝇类的吸引力之间的紧密联系提供了重要的进化创新，在果蝇属内产生了巨大的多样性。果蝇生态位偏好发生改变的原因和方式，以及酵母在物种专业化中的作用仍是未知的。在这里，我们分析了果蝇的三种物种的成年偏好和幼体发育以及昆虫和酵母菌共同努力进行的生态位修饰。总的来说，我们发现小生境专业化更多是幼虫限制的结果而不是成年产卵的选择。我们还确定，果蝇发育的不同生命阶段在各自的酵母偏好方面有所不同，这可能会减少跨代争夺资源的竞争。这样，自然选择压力对成年或幼体表现的作用可能会大不相同，幼体阶段的适应事件可能是利基进化的更强驱动力。此外，我们提供的证据表明，果蝇和酵母共同加工宿主物质以促进互利。我们的数据表明，果蝇成虫不同种类的苍蝇在酵母上的适应性很强，并且可以被根本不同的生境吸引到酵母种类中。这反驳了稳定的果蝇-酵母协会，在属广泛接受不同酵母菌种的整个成年个体果蝇。