Fitness components in the offsprings of Drosophila melanogaster meig. after acute γ-irradiation

Abstract

Aims. The purpose of investigation was to study the effect of acute irradiation by brake γ-quantums on the components of fitness in Drosophila melanogaster Meig. Methods. The effect of acute γ-radiation at doses of 8 Gr, 16 Gr and 25 Gr on the fertility, the number of adults, the level of dominant lethal mutations (DLM) and life span of adults in the wild-type strain Oregon-R were investigated. Female adults in the age of 3 days were irradiated by brake gamma rays on the linear electron accelerator LEA-10. The dose rate was 0.4 Gr/sec. Results. Under the action of acute exposure brake γ-rays with increasing doses in the range of 8–25 Gr a decrease in egg production, increased longevity of adults in the F₁ generation were found. DLM frequency increased in generation F₁and returned to the control values, or (at 25 Gr) decreased in the progeny F₂. The number of adults in the progeny was not changed. Conclusions. In accordance with the data obtained it can be concluded that the trends of K-strategy of selection in these conditions of exposure in Drosophila melanogaster were realized.

Keywords: Drosophila melanogaster Meig., fitness, egg production, life span, dominant lethal mutations.