Abnormal ovipositor in a Drosophila melanogaster female

While collecting virgin females from a wild stock, we found a female with an abnormal ovipositor (Figures 1, abnormal; Figure 2, normal). The stock was obtained from wild D. melanogaster flies collected at the Font Groga site, near Barcelona, in autumn 2012 (Canals et al., 2013). Unfortunately, it was not possible to cross this female, and we did not have any information on her parents because she appeared in a mass culture [...]

Les Planàries d'aigües dolces a Catalunya i les illes Balears. I. Clau sistemàtica i distribució geogràfica

The geographical distribution of freshwater planarians in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands has been studied from old and new records. Up to now, seven species have been found in Catalonia throughout the 44 localities studied, whereas only three species are present in the 13 localities studied in the Balearic Islands. The species and the geographical pattern found are similar to the published European records. The criteria for a correct diagnosis of planarian species are assessed especially when dealing with complex groups like the subgenera Schmidtea and the old «gonocephala» group. We stress the need to study the karyotypes to diagnose correctly some of the present species and to discover new races and species hidden under a similar external appearance. Taking into account these considerations a key is provided to assist clasification of these organisms. Finally, a pledge is made to stimulate the flow of sound information to add in a future work

Displaced genital arch in a Drosophila melanogaster male

Drosophila melanogaster mutant ebony (e) is characterized by its pigmentation defects in the adult cuticle (Bridges and Morgan, 1923); eyegone (eyg) has been described as having head and eyes much smaller than normal (Ives, 1942); and the vestigial (vg) locus seems to be only involved in wing development (Bridges and Morgan, 1919). While analyzing the F1 offspring from the parental cross between the D. melanogaster strains e eyg and vg, a particular fly was observed. It was a male, with no extended wings and normal color (although slightly darker because it was heterozygote for e). Interestingly, its genital arch was displaced from its normal position. It was not located in the ventral tip of the abdomen, instead it was displaced almost 90 degrees towards the end of the abdomen (Figures 1 and 2). The abdominal area where the genital arch should be was covered with a thin tegument (Figures 3 and 4). Sex combs were properly located. The animal died by accident nine days after emerging and left no progeny (he was caught in the culture medium) [...]

Descritpion of a double mutant strain of Drosophila melanogaster useful for genetic laboratory courses.

Many years ago, individuals showing drastically reduced eyes arose in our laboratory e (ebony) strain (Bridges and Morgan, 1923). We selected those flies presenting both traits and constituted a new double mutant strain e su (e, ebony; su, 'sense ulls', eyes drastically reduced). Both mutations were linked and located in the chromosome III. We used this strain in linkage analyses with our undergraduate students. [...

A hands-on genetics teaching approach at university level.

Teaching general Genetics is a cornerstone of a large number of university degrees. Being a scientific topic, laboratory classes are an essential element in student-centered learning. Here, we present our experience in implementing new material for teaching hands-on genetics, a subject of interest for other academic professionals in the field of Genetics. Our students carry out a genetic analysis of the su (sense ulls) mutation of Drosophila melanogaster, which produces a drastic eye reduction. The complete strain description can be found in Mestres et al. (2016a). The aim of the course is to give students the appropriate genetics tools to answer the three following questions: 1) Is the su mutation dominant or recessive? 2) In which chromosome is su located? 3) Can we identify in which gene the su mutation is

Les Planàries d'aigües dolces a Catalunya i les illes Balears. I. Clau sistemàtica i distribució geogràfica

The geographical distribution of freshwater planarians in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands has been studied from old and new records. Up to now, seven species have been found in Catalonia throughout the 44 localities studied, whereas only three species are present in the 13 localities studied in the Balearic Islands. The species and the geographical pattern found are similar to the published European records. The criteria for a correct diagnosis of planarian species are assessed especially when dealing with complex groups like the subgenera Schmidtea and the old «gonocephala» group. We stress the need to study the karyotypes to diagnose correctly some of the present species and to discover new races and species hidden under a similar external appearance. Taking into account these considerations a key is provided to assist clasification of these organisms. Finally, a pledge is made to stimulate the flow of sound information to add in a future work

Maintenance of A/P body regions in planarians by TCEN49, a putative cystine-knot neurotrophin.

In freshwater planarians, the protein TCEN49 has been linked to the regional specification of the central body region, which includes the pharynx

Gradients and regeneration: the case of TNEX59 in planarians (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida)

During development, multicellular organisms determine and then differentiate regions that constitute the body's architecture. These regions are established and controlled by a number of molecules, including nuclear factors, that drive the organism from the egg to its final shape. We studied the molecules involved in the regionalisation of the freshwater planarian body (Platyhelminthes, Turbelleria, Tricladida)

Maintenance of A/P body regions in planarians by TCEN49, a putative cystine-knot neurotrophin.

In freshwater planarians, the protein TCEN49 has been linked to the regional specification of the central body region, which includes the pharynx

Gradients and regeneration: the case of TNEX59 in planarians (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida)

During development, multicellular organisms determine and then differentiate regions that constitute the body's architecture. These regions are established and controlled by a number of molecules, including nuclear factors, that drive the organism from the egg to its final shape. We studied the molecules involved in the regionalisation of the freshwater planarian body (Platyhelminthes, Turbelleria, Tricladida)