Alternating temperatures resulted in higher values of the innate capacity for increase (rm) of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen than mean constant temperatures within the range of temperature favorable for growth and reproduction. This difference resulted from slightly faster development and earlier attainment of maximum fecundity at alternating temperatures. Preliminary mathematical models relating rm to constant and alternating temperatures are derived. These models are: rm = 0.587-0.0228(7.80e0.00012(30.3-t°C)2) for constant temperatures, and rm = 0.587-0.0228(9.96e0.0137(25.3-t°C)2) for alternating temperatures. Average deviation between empirical and computed values is 2.3%. The efficacy of these models is restricted to temperatures favorable for reproduction.
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Siddiqui et al. (1972) studied this question.