Ageing and temperature effects on the tumour development in Drosophila melanogaster females

Ageing and rearing temperature effects on the melanotic tumour development in Drosophila melanogaster are examined in the C-104 strain. The incidence of tumour development is disclosed to increase as female flies get older. It was also shown that the shift-up of the rearing temperature to a restrictive one of 29 degrees C at the adult stage results in a remarkable increase in tumour development. These results indicate that environmental factors accompanied by ageing seem to be involved in the tumour development in this strain as well as genetic factors. The organ-specific melanotic tumour is described for the first time, and the origin of tumour in the C-104 strain is discussed.