Homozygotes show less than Mendelian expected viability; in matings between heterozygotes approximately 5% of F1 animals are homozygous (rather than the expected one-third).

Mutant adults paralyse upon exposure to mechanical stress. This paralysis is strikingly progressive: Sod2^bwd/Df(2R)Exel7145 adults remain paralysed for approximately 2 minutes after mechanical stress when assayed soon after eclosion, whereas the paralysis lasts over 20 minutes when they are assayed at 2 days of age.

Homozygotes and Sod2^bwd/Df(2R)Exel7145 animals do not live much longer than 5 days at either 25 or 29[o]C.

Sod2^bwd/Df(2R)Exel7145 animals show decreased eclosion rates compared to wild type under hyperoxic conditions, while eclosion rates under normoxia are normal.

The brains of Sod2^bwd/Df(2R)Exel7145 adults show extensive neurodegeneration throughout the central brain at both 25 and 29[o]C. Abnormal localisation of large clusters of cell bodies within the central brain neuropil is also seen.

Heterozygous third instar larvae show a small but significant increase in ectopic motorneuron projections onto the muscles. Sod2^bwd/Df(2R)Exel7145 third instar larvae show a large increase in ectopic motorneuron projections onto the muscles.