Embryos derived from BicD¹/BicD² mothers show a duplication of posterior structures and a lack of anterior structures. These embryos lack macrophages. Apoptotic cells accumulate at the ventral surface of the central nervous system (CNS), and subperineural glia contain an abundance of apoptotic cells. Single unengulfed apoptotic cells are also seen inside the CNS. The number of subperineural glia per abdominal segment is not significantly different from wild-type in stage 16 embryos.

Does not prevent the posterior localization of G-iα65A protein.

Ectopic nos activity at the anterior pole of embryos derived from BicD² mutant females blocks bcd protein expression from bcd^Δ transcripts but not from bcd⁺ transcripts. None of the embryos bearing the bcd^Δ mRNA display the bcd phenotype.

Heterozygous embryos have duplicated posterior poles, lack polar granules and do not form pole cells. No CycB transcript accumulation was seen at the posterior pole.

Lack of head and thoracic anlagen is caused by the lack of bcd protein.