Hobbies And Interests
Pysical Description
Three types of common fruit flies exist: the full winged and most common wild type, the tiny winged vestigial, and the wingless and uncommon apterous. The most noticeable physical difference between these flies is the size or lack of wings. Apterous flies have significantly smaller balancers, which makes it difficult for the fly to right itself when flipped onto its back. Furthermore, small balancers make it difficult for the fly to run and hop with vigor. In fact; observations by Charles Metz, professor of Zoology at Columbia University, revealed that if a wild type or vestigial fly has its wings removed, it continues to explore, reproduce and live to the same extent (and just as vivaciously) as one with wings.
Weak Character
Due to reduced balancers, apterous fruit flies tend to behave apathetically. Their generally weak and lazy characters made zoologist originally think of these flies as completely sterile, Michael Metz claims. However, with extreme difficulty, apterous flies do breed. Their extreme physical weakness makes copulating challenging due to the high level of energy required for success. Even after a female fly's eggs are successfully fertilized, laying them requires a great deal of energy it often doesn't have, Metz observes. Males, on the other hand, have difficulty completing the process of reproduction and often fail to fertilize females. As a result of poor reproductive function, these flies are classified as rare in nature.
Apterous Gene
The apterous gene is recessive, which means both the mating flies must carry it to pass it on to their offspring. It works by regulating the expression of fringe and serrate proteins, which are responsible for wing construction and size. From the dorsal cells, where wing construction takes place, apterous genes prevent fringe and serrate proteins from signalling one another. With the signal between these proteins obstructed, wing construction can't occur. Although rare, winged flies do carry the recessive apterous gene and propagate the mutation.
A Delicious Meal
Apterous flies make a perfect meal for pet carnivorous insects, lizards and plants. Their sluggish character and inability to fly makes them easy prey. In the perfect conditions of a laboratory, breeding apterous flies isn't too difficult. As a result, the wingless flies are widely sold at pet stores to provide a satisfying meal for pets. Home breeding the flies is also possible with the right equipment and, if done right, can provide a pet with an endless supply of food.