Brief exposures to weak static magnetic field during early embryogenesis cause cuticular pattern abnormalities in Drosophila larvae

Abstract

The authors carried out investigations on pattern formation in Drosophila, as it is extremely well characterised in terms of gene expression and morphology. The results confirm the findings of Ramirez et al. (1983), demonstrating in Drosophila a decrease in hatching rate (and hence viability) as the result of exposure to weak static magnetic fields. The identification of specific morphological abnormalities, however, is new.