Rhythm-Specific Mutations in Drosophila rajasekari Altered Adult Locomotor Activity Rhythm but Not Eclosion Rhythm

Abstract

The early and late strains for phase angle difference (Φ) of adult locomotor activity in Drosophila rajasekari were developed by artificial selection; these strains differed in Φ, activity pattern, activity level, free-running period (τ) in constant darkness (DD) and light induced phase shifts from those of the wild type (Joshi, 1998). The present studies were designed to determine whether or not the psi-mutations for adult locomotor activity rhythm had also altered the fundamental properties of the eclosion rhythms in these strains. The circadian rhythms of eclosion have been studied in the wild type, the early and late strains. In contrast to the effects on the locomotor activity rhythms in the early and late strains, the psi-mutations have no apparent effect on the eclosion median in light-dark cycles of 12 : 12 h, on τ in DD, light induced phase shifts or subjective light sensitivity in these strains. Thus the psi-mutations for the adult locomotor activity rhythms in D. rajasekari appear to be rhythm-specific mutations altering the locomotor rhythms but not the eclosion rhythms.