The Isolation and Characterization of Behavioural Mutants of Drosophila Melanogaster

Abstract

<p>Using the mutagen ethyl methanesulfonate, strains of Drosophila melanogaster were isolated whose males displayed mutant mating behaviour. Three lines were selected for closer study. One, strain #55, was associated with a morphological mutation that decreased male courtship success. Of the two non-morphological mutants, one strain (#263) exhibited almost no mating activity under test conditions, while the other (#277) was more successful than standard Canton-S males. Through mapping and test crosses, the mode of inheritance of each mutant was investigated. Other behavioural tests were performed to assess locomotor activity. These three mutants are discussed in terms of current ideas regarding courtship in Drosophila.</p>