When maternal Mad is depleted in embryos by expressing Scer\GAL4mat.αTub67C.T:Hsim\VP16-driven MaddsRNA.Scer\UAS.P\T, embryos display segmental patterning defects. The ventral denticle belts are expanded along the dorso-ventral axis and display fusions between segments. The denticle fusions are caused by lawns of denticles that replace naked cuticle.