Embryos have an increased number of polyploid, pseudo-yolk nuclei by stage 10 and as development proceeds the number increases dramatically. These nuclei are present throughout the interior of the embryo, not restricted to a small region along the anterior-posterior axis as in wild type. Nuclei fall from the cortex of embryos leaving behind microtubular asters and centrosomes. Mitotic progression is abnormal in syncytial embryos. Mutation confers hypersensitivity to paraquat and X-radiation.
Phenotypic reversion associated with mobilisation of the P{hsneo} demonstrates the insertion is responsible for the mutant phenotype.