Prior to the initiation of germband retraction, the amnioserosa of Egfr^1a15 mutants begins to degrade, which in the most severe cases can lead to a complete and dramatic loss of the tissue. In some embryos the amnioserosa persists throughout germband retraction and dorsal closure, but has noticeably fewer cells than wild-type. Germband retraction appears abnormal in these mutants, as does the amnioserosa, with the tissue constricting perpendicularly to the normal anterior-posterior direction.