Abstract
Great strides have been made in understanding the aging process on a genetic level. Recently, researchers have begun investigating non-biological factors that may affect longevity. These studies have shown a correlative relationship between a positive social environment and increased longevity. This thesis project investigated the link between an altered social environment and its effect on longevity and behavior in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. By raising flies at increasing population densities, under and over-populated living conditions as an aspect of the social environment were simulated.
The results show that population density impacts longevity, behavior, and the levels of pheromones, molecules that govern fly behavior. In males, lifespans showed the greatest changes, with smaller changes in sociability and pheromone levels. In females, small changes in lifespan were observed, while behavioral and pheromonal changes were more pronounced. These results indicate a connection between population density, behavior changes, and fruit flies' longevity.