Directional Preference in Drosophila melanogaster

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Title
Directional Preference in Drosophila melanogaster
Author
Taylor James
Michael Baltzley
Eli Zachary
Spicie Davis
Kristin Latham
Faculty Sponsor
Michael Baltzley and Kristin Latham
Abstract
Diverse organisms have been shown to use the Earth’s magnetic field for orientation and navigation, but the mechanisms underlying magnetoreception are still poorly understood. Recent research on magnetoreception has focused on the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster primarily because of its role as a model organism for understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying behavioral traits. While current research suggests that Drosophila might be able to detect and orient to magnetic fields, different studies offer contradictory results. In this study, we used a Y-maze and selective breeding to attempt to create a population of fruit flies that display a robust magnetic orientation behavior. We used a Y-maze where each fly made 10 choices of whether to go north or south. Of flies that exited the maze, we selected the top 20% of flies from each run to produce the next generation. This protocol was repeated for 12 generations. Our data shows that wild-type Drosophila have no innate north or south preference, nor an innate east or west preference. Additionally, after 12 generations of selection, we have so far been unable to create populations of fruit flies with a magnetic orientation behavior. Further research includes continued selection on our current populations of flies as well as experimental design modifications that could possibly detect a more subtle magnetic orientation behavior.
Subject
Other Life Sciences
Drosophila melanogaster
magnetoreception
directional preference
Rights
Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 06/01/2023, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.
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Type
Text
volume
5
Date Published
5/31/2016
Note
Michael Baltzley and Kristin Latham
Identifier
pure/vol5/iss1/3
Language
eng