The effect of exposure to varying light wavelengths during development on locomotor speed of adult Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

As a model organism, Drosophila melanogaster has been thoroughly researched. Variation in light wavelength has been demonstrated to affect rate of eclosion and development. Yet, the effect of visible light on the developmental rate, and its effect on the motor capabilities of these organisms have yet to be determined. In the present study, we demonstrated that exposure to increased wavelength during the development of D. melanogaster resulted in an increase in motor activity in sample replicates. Batches of D. melanogaster larvae were divided into treatments corresponding to that of blue (410nm), green (520nm), and red (680nm) wavelengths, and two controls of white-light and darkness. Motor abilities in these groups were determined after two weeks of growth. Results demonstrate a significant difference in locomotor activity between organisms grown in red wavelength treatments, recorded speed of 1.53 cm/s, and those exposed to green wavelength treatments, 1.01 cm/s. However elevated activity in the blue treatment group, 1.40 cm/s caused us to fail to reject our null hypothesis. Our results suggest that exposing D. melanogaster to optimal green wavelengths induces early eclosion and maturation, and thus leads to slowed motor activity relative to the sub-optimal (blue and red) treatment environments.