The effects of period mutations and light on the activity rhythms of Drosophila melanogaster

Strains of Drosophila melanogaster homozygous for alleles of the period gene (perO, perL, perS, and per+) were reared for multiple generations either in light:dark cycles (LD), continuous illumination (LL), or chronic darkness (DD). The locomotor activity of adult flies from these cultures was monitored in either LL or DD. Flies that were reared and tested in DD had a lower proportion of individuals with normal circadian rhythms than flies reared in LD or LL and tested in DD. The activity rhythms of DD-reared DD-tested animals, when present, showed phase coherence within two out of seven populations, while 8 out of 10 LL-reared DD-tested showed phase coherence. Flies tested in LL were largely devoid of circadian rhythms regardless of their rearing environment. Ultradian rhythms were more evident under conditions disruptive to circadian rhythmicity, but were observed in the presence and absence of circadian rhythms. The periods of the ultradian rhythms of LL-reared DD-tested and LD-reared DD-tested flies varied significantly among genotypes, while in other rearing and testing regimes, no relationship was found.