Different responses of Drosophila subobscura isofemale lines to extremely low frequency magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT): fitness components and locomotor activity

Abstract

Purpose: Extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields as essential ecological factors may induce specific responses in genetically different lines. The object of this study was to investigate the impact of the ELF magnetic field on fitness components and locomotor activity of five Drosophila subobscura isofemale (IF) lines.

Materials and methods: Each D. subobscura IF line, arbitrarily named: B16/1, B24/4, B39/1, B57/2 and B69/5, was maintained in five full-sib inbreeding generations. Their genetic structures were defined based on the mitochondrial DNA variability. Egg-first instar larvae and 1-day-old flies were exposed to an ELF magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT, 48 h) and thereafter, fitness components and locomotor activity of males and females in an open field test were observed for each selected IF line, respectively.

Results: Exposure of egg-first instar larvae to an ELF magnetic field shortened developmental time, and did not affect the viability and sex ratio of D. subobscura IF lines. Exposure of 1-day-old males and females IF lines B16/1 and B24/4 to an ELF magnetic field significantly decreased their locomotor activity and this effect lasted longer in females than males.

Conclusions: These results indicate various responses of D. subobscura IF lines to the applied ELF magnetic field depending on their genetic background.

Keywords:

• 50 Hz magnetic field
• Drosophila isofemale lines
• developmental time
• distance travelled
• mobility
• viability

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (Grant No. 173027).

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by Ministarstvo Prosvete, Nauke i Tehnološkog Razvoja (OI 173027).