Jacobs, M.E., Brubaker, K.K. (1963). Beta-alanine utilization of ebony and non-ebony Drosophila melanogaster.  Science 139(): 1282--1283.

FBrf0015819

Research paper

Carbon-14-labeled beta-alanine was injected into newly formed Drosophila melanogaster female pupae. Homozygous ebony deposited less C(14) in pupal sheaths, deposited more C(14) in adult body extracts and wings, and decarboxylated and oxidized beta-alanine to excrete C(14)O(2) faster than did non-ebony homozygotes. Heterozygotes were intermediate in all these activities.