Bart - Neuroethology of Drosophila Flashcards
What is the difference between phototaxis and
gravitaxis in Drosophila?
Phototaxis refers to the movement of Drosophila in response to light, whereas gravitaxis refers to their movement in response to gravity. Phototaxis in Drosophila is typically positive (towards light), and gravitaxis is observed as an upward movement against gravity.
How can you quantify locomotion in Drosophila?
Locomotion can be quantified by measuring parameters such as walking speed, track length,
activity bouts, and turning frequency. These can be assessed through video tracking and analysing the
paths taken by the flies.
What are the main social behaviours observed in
Drosophila?
Main social behaviours include courtship, aggression, and inter-individual spacing.
Describe the experimental setup for measuring
courtship behaviour in Drosophila.
To measure courtship behaviour, a male and a virgin female Drosophila are placed in an arena. The courtship behaviours such as wing singing, tapping, licking, and attempted copulation are observed, timed, and recorded.
What is the significance of inter-individual
distance in social behaviour studies?
Inter-individual distance is a measure of social spacing between flies. It provides insights into social preferences and behaviours, such as aggression or attraction, and can indicate mutations in social behaviour.
How is aggression between male Drosophila
typically displayed?
Aggression between male Drosophila is typically displayed through wing flicking, lunges, ramming, and leg-fencing. These actions are often observed when males compete for a female.
What are the key differences between wing
flicks and singing in Drosophila?
Wing flicks involve the extension of both wings towards an opponent, signalling aggression, while singing involves the extension of one wing to produce courtship songs aimed at attracting a mate.
Explain the concept of centrophobism in
Drosophila
Centrophobism is the tendency of Drosophila to avoid the centre of an arena, preferring to stay close to the walls. This behaviour is thought to be related to thigmotaxis and possibly a strategy to avoid predators.
How can you differentiate between male
and female Drosophila?
Males have a darker, rounder abdomen and sex combs on their front legs, while females have a lighter, more pointed abdomen with visible stripes. Males are also generally smaller in size compared to females.
Why is it important to separate male and
female Drosophila early after hatching for
courtship experiments?
Separating males and females early after hatching ensures that they remain virgins, which is critical for studying courtship behaviours as it removes previous mating experiences as a variable and makes them highly motivated.
