Meeting Abstract

P3.139  Sunday, Jan. 6  Trachea and Flight Muscle Volumes of Adult Drosophila melanogaster Reared in Hypoxia, Normoxia, and Hyperoxia Using Synchrotron X-Ray Phase Contrast Microtomography BIDDULPH, T.A.*; KOVACEVIC, S; WATERS, J.S.; HARRSION, J.F.; Arizona State University Taylor.Biddulph@asu.edu

Investigation of the structural response of the tracheal system in Drosophila melanogaster to varying atmospheric oxygen levels allows for a better understanding of insect adaptation to hypoxia and hyperoxia. Drosophila melanogaster, more commonly known as the fruit fly, has been used as a model organism in scientific experiments for many years but only little is known about the organism in respect to the adult tracheal system. In this study, a sample of male flies were reared for one generation in 10, 21, or 40 kPa oxygen from egg to adult, and were then taken to the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Lab where synchrotron x-ray phase contrast microtomography (SR-μCT) was conducted on the freshly euthanized specimens. Highly detailed visual reconstructions of the x-ray images were produced on-site and then later used to make measurements and collect quantitative data. The tracheal branch under investigation is located adjacent to the second spiracle, towards the posterior end of the thorax, and supplies oxygen to approximately 25% of the dorsal longitudinal flight muscles. By calculating trachea to longitudinal flight muscle volume ratios in the thorax, we hope to gain some insight on how the tracheal system changes in hypoxic and hyperoxic conditions. This data will help us better understand how oxygen delivery systems are constructed in insects. This research was partially funded by NSF EFRI BSBA 0938047 to Jake Socha and Jon F. Harrison.