Chitin biosynthesis during pupal development of Drosophila melanogaster and the effect of thelethalcryptocephalmutation

摘要

AbstractEstimation of chitin deposition in the pupal and adult cuticles of adult Drosophila melanogaster during the pupal period is described. The timing of the periods of chitin deposition is compared with that deduced by previous workers using electron microscopy. The hypothesis thatlethalcryptocephalmutant homozygotes are unable to evert their cephalic complexes at pupation because of excess chitin deposition is examined. The data obtained show no evidence that the mutation has any effect on chitin deposition.