# Fly species kept in dark conditions for 1400 generations in Japanese lab ... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 19, 2012, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230 "2012-03-19T15:47:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Indian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230/1 "2012-03-19T15:47:12Z")
… show remarkable genetic adaptation to darkness. _Organisms are remarkably adapted to diverse environments by specialized metabolisms, morphology, or behaviors. To address the molecular mechanisms underlying environmental adaptation, we have utilized a Drosophila melanogaster line, termed “Dark-fly”, which has been maintained in constant dark conditions for 57 years (1400 generations). We found that Dark-fly exhibited higher fecundity in dark than in light conditions, indicating that Dark-fly possesses some traits advantageous in darkness. Using next-generation sequencing technology, we determined the whole genome sequence of Dark-fly and identified approximately 220,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 4,700 insertions or deletions (InDels) in the Dark-fly genome compared to the genome of the Oregon-R-S strain, a control strain. 1.8% of SNPs were classified as non-synonymous SNPs (nsSNPs: i.e., they alter the amino acid sequence of gene products). Among them, we detected 28 nonsense mutations (i.e., they produce a stop codon in the protein sequence) in the Dark-fly genome. These included genes encoding an olfactory receptor and a light receptor. We also searched runs of homozygosity (ROH) regions as putative regions selected during the population history, and found 21 ROH regions in the Dark-fly genome. We identified 241 genes carrying nsSNPs or InDels in the ROH regions. These include a cluster of alpha-esterase genes that are involved in detoxification processes. Furthermore, analysis of structural variants in the Dark-fly genome showed the deletion of a gene related to fatty acid metabolism. Our results revealed unique features of the Dark-fly genome and provided a list of potential candidate genes involved in environmental adaptation._ [Link](http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0033288) ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230/2 "2012-03-19T16:28:21Z")
…flies against the case for creationism… ---
**Author:** ![Indian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230/3 "2012-03-19T16:43:39Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > …flies against the case for creationism… Good one.😃 ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230/4 "2012-03-19T16:48:54Z")
Did they try attaching tiny little bombs to them? ETA: Wait, did we try do that? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230/5 "2012-03-19T16:51:33Z")
Japanese lab huh? Sounds to me like some fly-by-night operation. ---
**Author:** ![Gymnopithys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230/6 "2012-03-19T16:58:12Z")
Following up an experiment for 57 years is quite a feat. Only Japanese can. Cap in hand. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230/7 "2012-03-19T17:20:05Z")
Since so much of flies’ teeny brain power is devoted to the eyes and seeing, did the dark-flies develop less sensitive visual apparatus because seeing was less important in the dark? Or more sensitive, because of the need to see better in the dark? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230/8 "2012-03-19T18:15:26Z")
Do Dark Flies like an Arrow? ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230/9 "2012-03-19T18:24:13Z")
I just keep thinking of some poor grad student that finally got their degree after 57 years. ---
**Author:** ![RalfCoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@RalfCoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RalfCoder)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230/10 "2012-03-21T12:50:46Z")
> [@Gymnopithys](#): > > Following up an experiment for 57 years is quite a feat. Only Japanese can. Cap in hand. [There](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitch_drop_experiment) [are](http://www.cpa.msu.edu/beal/research/research_frames.htm) [longer](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverly_Clock) [ones](http://www.livescience.com/7102-world-longest-running-experiments.html) out there. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230/11 "2012-03-21T14:07:19Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Japanese lab huh? Sounds to me like some fly-by-night operation. iFTW! ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230/12 "2012-03-21T14:12:12Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > I just keep thinking of some poor grad student that finally got their degree after 57 years. And then promptly retired. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230/13 "2012-03-21T15:31:02Z")
I was at a conference a couple of weeks ago where a guy reported an experiment raising flies in warm, cold, or alternating warm and cold temperatures for many generations. They found that the flies in the alternating temperatures were able to alter the makeup of their cell membranes to adapt to the different temperatures much more than either of the other strains. Artificial evolution experiments are nifty. ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230/14 "2012-03-21T16:11:42Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > … > Artificial evolution experiments are nifty. At least until the running and screaming begins. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230/15 "2012-03-21T16:35:44Z")
> [@Ale](#): > > At least until the running and screaming begins. Exactly. What the wily Japanese aren’t telling us is that after 57 years the flies are now 123 kg, breathe radioactive fire and crave human flesh. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230/16 "2012-03-21T16:38:33Z")
> [@Gymnopithys](#): > > Following up an experiment for 57 years is quite a feat. Only Japanese can. Cap in hand. Here is one in Russia (54 years or so), attempting to [domesticate foxes](http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2012/03/domesticated_foxes_in_siberia_an_experiment_in_peril_.html). Like most things in Russia these days, they’re way low on money to keep it going (or reach the next level). ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230/17 "2012-03-21T16:46:25Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > Exactly. What the wily Japanese aren’t telling us is that after 57 years the flies are now 123 kg, breathe radioactive fire and crave human flesh. Wait till you see what they achieved with [moths](http://images.wikia.com/godzilla/images/7/76/Mothra-9.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230/18 "2012-03-21T17:56:56Z")
I love the Japanese. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230/19 "2012-03-21T19:14:05Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > Exactly. What the wily Japanese aren’t telling us is that after 57 years the flies are now 123 kg, breathe radioactive fire and crave human flesh. How about laser beam eyes? That would be awesome! ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230/20 "2012-03-21T19:37:07Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > How about laser beam eyes? That would be awesome! This has always been tricky. The Nazis are rumored to have fitted bumblebees with ocular CO2 lasers but the effect of the compound eye lenses proved disastrous and insurmountable. Mercifully, the war in Europe ended before they could effect a workaround. But if anyone could pull it off ferreals it would be the Japanese. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fly-species-kept-in-dark-conditions-for-1400-generations-in-japanese-lab/616230.md?page=2)