A mutation affecting larval muscle development inDrosophila melanogaster

摘要

AbstractThe phenotypic analysis of a new spontaneous recessive lethal mutation ofDrosophila melanogasteris described. Thelethal(2)thinmutation maps at 85.6 on chromosome 2 and produces a characteristic long, thin puparium due to an inability to shorten the larval form prior to pupariation. Histological examination of larval muscles and behavioural studies support the hypothesis that the mutation affects the striated structure of the larval muscles in late larval stages. Lethality largely occurs due to an inability to perform the movements necessary for pupation, although there is evidence for larval and possibly embryonic lethal phases.