sqd^j4B4 germline clones show oocyte AP polarity defects at a 99% penetrance. The patterning defects of the oocyte are at least in part due to a highly penetrant defect in microtubule organization along the AP axis. Stage 2-6 sqd^j4B4 oocytes often have an even distribution of microtubules throughout their cytoplasm, instead of having a wild-type focus of microtubules at the posterior. Likewise, stage 8-9 sqd^j4B4 oocytes display microtubules along the entire oocyte cortex instead of being present in a gradient from the anterior cortex to the posterior, as in wild-type oocytes. The mid-oogenesis phenotype is far more penetrant than the early oogenesis phenotype. Posterior follicle cell fate is not affected in sqd^j4B4 germline clones, although the migration of anterior border cells and centripetal cells in egg chambers is defective. sqd^j4B4 germline clones display defects in oocyte specification and cystocyte mitosis. Many egg chambers contain aberrant numbers of germ cells, from 2 to >16. The number of germ cells in adjacent egg chambers is often not 16. Cysts often contain no oocyte. In egg chambers with an oocyte and the correct number of nurse cells, the oocyte is often mispositioned. In 10-12-day-old females, egg chambers beyond stage 6 often degenerate. The stalks that should separate adjacent egg chambers are missing at a high penetrance. The penetrance of all of these phenotypes increases over time. Additional defects in sqd^j4B4 germline clones include follicle cells that surround the anterior of the oocyte with a dorsal fate, the retention of polytene chromosomes in nurse cells beyond stage 6 and defective migration of anterior border cells and centripetal cells in egg chambers. sqd^j4B4 germline clone oocytes are often smaller than wild-type oocytes in mid- to late-oogenesis. sqd^j4B4 eggs show DV defects, including eggshells with ectopic dorsal appendage material. However, anterior and posterior follicle cells are specified correctly. The following transheterozygous escaper females produce oocytes with an AP polarity defect at the penetrances given: sqd^j4B4/sqd^ix50 93% ; sqd^j4B4/sqd^ix77 88%; sqd^j4B4/sqd¹ 65%; sqd^j4B4/Df(3R)urd 81%. Although sqd^j4B4/Df(3R)urd escaper females show oocyte polarity defects at a high penetrance, no polarity defects are detectable in the somatic trichome bristles of the wing blade or in homozygous eye clones.

Germline clones produce abnormal eggs due to abnormal oogenesis: development arrests during vitellogenesis. Lethality occurs during the larval and pupal stages.