Defective proboscis extension reflex at day 5 after eclosion, by day 14 after eclosion few have recovered the proboscis extension reflex. After day 6 after eclosion the loss of the birefringence of the rostral protractors is correlated with the proboscis extension reflex defect: the behavioural defect correlates with muscle degeneration.
Degeneration of the rostral protractors after eclosion: mechanical immobilization after eclosion suppresses aperC1 phenotype.
Fails to show sugar induced proboscis extension reflex. aperC1 mutants reared at 25oC lost the proboscis extension reflex (PER) but subsequently many recovered. At day 5 all males and 90% females show the PER defect, numbers decreased dramatically by day 10. When reared at 18oC the PER defect occurred later and no recovery of the PER occurred. When reared at 29oC fewer flies showed the PER defect and by day 9 80% of the flies showed normal PER. The temperature sensitive period occurs 2--4 days after eclosion when reared at 18oC. The loss and recovery of the PER are closely correlated with the degree of degeneration and regeneration of the rostral protractors (= ? proboscis muscle 1).
Muscle degeneration suppressed by aperA1.
