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Drosophila melanogaster Response to Feeding with Neomycin-Based Medium Expressed in Fluctuating Asymmetry
Kemal Büyükgüzel1, Ender Büyükgüzel2, Ewa Chudzińska3
1Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, 67100 Zonguldak, Turkey.
Abstract:
The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a model species used for a wide range of studies. Contamination of Drosophila cultures with bacterial infection is common and is readily eradicated by antibiotics. Neomycin antibiotics can cause stress to D. melanogaster's larvae and imagoes, which may affect the interpretation of the results of research using culture from neomycin-based medium. In the present study, fluctuating asymmetry (FA), one of the important bioindicators of stress, was measured. Larvae and imagoes of a wild-type D. melanogaster strain were exposed to various concentrations of neomycin. The size of anal papillae and selected wing veins were measured using scanning electron and light microscopy, respectively. Next, the FA was checked. The values obtained for larval anal papillae appeared to be concentration-dependant; the FA indices increased with the concentration of neomycin. The wing FA presented a large but variable correlation, depending on the measured vein. However, the mean length of veins was the highest for the control group, with neomycin-exposed groups showing lower values. The research showed that neomycin may cause sublethal stress in D. melanogaster, which manifests in increased FA indices. This suggests that neomycin can cause physiological and developmental stress in insects, which should be taken into account when interpreting the results of studies using these model organisms.
Insights
Neomycin antibiotic exposure increases fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) larvae and adults. This indicates neomycin causes sublethal stress, impacting research interpretations.
Area of Science:
- * Developmental Biology
- * Toxicology
- * Entomology
Background:
- * *Drosophila melanogaster* is a key model organism in biological research.
- * Bacterial contamination in *Drosophila* cultures is common and treated with antibiotics.
- * Neomycin, an antibiotic, may induce stress in *D. melanogaster*, potentially affecting experimental outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate the sublethal stress effects of neomycin on *D. melanogaster*.
- * To quantify fluctuating asymmetry (FA) as a bioindicator of neomycin-induced stress.
- * To assess the impact of neomycin concentration on FA in larvae and imagoes.
Main Methods:
- * Exposure of wild-type *D. melanogaster* larvae and imagoes to varying neomycin concentrations.
- * Measurement of anal papillae size using scanning electron microscopy.
- * Measurement of wing vein length using light microscopy and subsequent FA analysis.
Main Results:
- * Larval anal papillae showed concentration-dependent increases in FA with neomycin exposure.
- * Wing vein FA exhibited variable correlation with neomycin concentration.
- * Neomycin-exposed groups displayed reduced mean vein lengths compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- * Neomycin induces sublethal physiological and developmental stress in *D. melanogaster*, evidenced by increased FA.
- * Researchers should consider neomycin's stress-inducing effects when interpreting studies using this model organism.
- * FA serves as a sensitive bioindicator for detecting neomycin-induced stress in insects.
