Different responses of Drosophila subobscura isofemale lines to extremely low frequency magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT): fitness components and locomotor activity

Danica Zmejkoski, Branka Petković, Sofija Pavković-Lučić, Zlatko Prolić, Marko Anđelković, Tatjana Savić

Extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields as essential ecological factor may induce specific responses in genetically different lines. The subject of this study was to investigate the impact of ELF magnetic field on fitness components and locomotor activity of five Drosophila subobscura isofemale (IF) lines. Each D. subobscura IF line, arbitrarily named: B16/1, B24/4, B39/1, B57/2 and B69/5, was maintained in five full-sib inbreeding generations. Their genetic structures were defined based on the mitochondrial DNA variability. Egg-first instar larvae and one-day-old flies were exposed to ELF magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT, 48 h) and thereafter, fitness components and locomotor activity of males and females in an open field test were observed for each selected IF line, respectively. Exposure of egg-first instar larvae to ELF magnetic field shortened developmental time, and did not affect viability and sex ratio of D. subobscura IF lines. Exposure of one-day-old males and females IF lines B16/1 and B24/4 to ELF magnetic field significantly decreased their locomotor activity and this effect lasted longer in females than males. These results indicate various responses of D. subobscura IF lines to the applied ELF magnetic field depending on their genetic background.