Dominant flightless phenotype of the vestigial-Depilate deficiency of Drosophila melanogaster

This paper describes the flightless phenotype of the vestigial-Depilate deficiency of Drosophila melanogaster. Recombination experiments and studies of revertants show that the dominant flightless and depilate phenotypes are inseparable from the deficiency and due to a single cause. Dosage studies on this region reveal that these phenotypes are due to antimorphic effects, probably on the Suppressor-2 of zeste or Posteriorsexcomb genes which lie close to the distal breakpoint of the deficiency. The deficiency does not uncover a gene haplo-insufficient for flight. A detailed phenotypic examination failed to reveal any effects of this mutation on the indirect flight muscles. Dr(2R)vg^D/+ heterozygotes are unable to initiate flight or raise their wings, even during death by over etherisation. There is a close correlation between the dominant antimorphic flightlessness and patterned thoracic bristle loss which is revealed in interactions with Df(2R)vg⁶² and the Su(z)2alleles. This is discussed in the light of the bnstle loss mutants of the Achaete-scute complex. It is proposed that the vestigial-Depilate deficiency affects the development of thoracic nerves.