Experimental evaluation of the radiation exposure effects and inbreeding in the variability of the wing shape of the drosophila strain Canton-S : geometric morphometrics

Differences in the size and shape variability of the female offspring wing obtained from irradiated parents of inbred and outbred groups of Canton-S strain of Drosophila melanogaster were estimated using geometric morphometry methods. The groups were kept under conditions of chronic irradiation at an exposure dose rate of 2,5 mGy/h. The absorbed dose in one generation (14 days) was 84 cGy. In the offspring of irradiated outbred parents, the wing dimensions are significantly reduced, and their variability is increased. In females obtained from irradiated inbred parents, on the contrary, the wing dimensions are significantly increased and their variance is reduced. Statistically significant changes in the shape of the wing in outbred and inbred females were revealed after irradiation of parents. Moreover, if outbred individuals show an increase in destabilization of development, then in inbred individuals, on the contrary, its stability increases. The parental exposure factor is established to affects the wing morphogenesis of D. melanogaster to a lesser extent than inbreeding. The results obtained suggest the compensatory epigenetic mechanisms activation for restoring normal morphogenesis disturbed by inbreeding when exposed to low-intensity irradiation.