EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE ON DROSOPHILA .V. WEIGHT AND WATER PROTEIN AND RNA CONTENT

1. 1. The dry weight and the water, protein nitrogen and RNA content of young adults of Drosophila melanogaster, D. viracochi, D. pseudoobscura and D. willistoni grown at 15 and 25°C are reported. 2. 2. In general, the dry weight is higher at the lower temperature. The percentage water does not differ with the temperature or species. 3. 3. The protein nitrogen content of D. pseudoobscura is higher at 25°C than at 15°C while with the other three species there are no significant differences. 4. 4. The RNA of D. melanogaster is lower in flies grown at 15°C while in D. viracochi the opposite is found. There are no significant differences with temperature in the other two species. With the exception of D. viracochi grown at 25°C, the females have higher RNA content than the males. It is suggested that these differences are related to egg production. © 1969.