Surface lipids of Drosophila melanogaster: comparison of the lipids from female and male wild type and sex-linked yellow mutant

Abstract

The lipid components of the cuticle of both male and female wild type and yellow mutant fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster, were analyzed and compared. Major types of components found in hexane extracts of males included hydrocarbons, cis- vaccenyl acetate, acylglycerols, and free fatty acids. Cis- vaccenyl acetate was present in extracts from male insects, but was recovered in very small amounts from females. The major types of hydrocarbons present in both male and female insects include n- alkanes , alkenes, alkadienes, and 2-methylalkanes. No qualitative differences were observed in the hydrocarbons from male and female insects. Quantitative differences were noted. From the hydrocarbons of yellow mutant males where there is greater 23-carbon alkane, 23-carbon alkenes and 25-carbon alkenes than from the hydrocarbons of yellow mutant females. The hydrocarbons from yellow mutant females show greater 27- and 29-carbon alkane and alkenes.