Size and symmetry of sex combs were not related to male mating success in Drosophila melanogaster reared at different temperatures

Temperature is one of the most important climatic factors that may influence different traits (morphological, physiological or behavioral) in Drosophila. In this study, we examined the effects of two developmental temperatures (18°C and 25°C) on the size and the symmetry of sex combs (a male sexual trait) and their importance for male mating success in Drosophila melanogaster. However, the number of sex comb teeth (“size”) and its difference between right and left legs (“symmetry”) were relevant neither to male mating success nor to the growth temperatures.