Drosophila melanogaster behavior study: Does plumbum affect pupation and climbing ability of imago?

Lead (plumbum) has been recognized as a heavy metal commonly found as a pollutant in both environment and food. The study of Drosophila behavior is potential to facilitate observations related to the effect of heavy metals on the nervous system as considerable as its implication on human health. This study aimed to analyze the effect of Lead exposure on pupation and imago behaviors of D. melanogaster. The strain used in this research was wild-type. The four Lead levels treated were 0, 1000, 1500, and 2000 ppm. Moreover, the four behavioral assayed were pupa position, pupa orientation, the success of imago climbing, and climbing time needed by imago. The data collection was done in generation 0 and generation 1. The data analysis used were percentage (pupation) and one-way ANCOVA (climbing ability). The results showed that tilted was the majority position of pupa in each treatment. Moreover, the lower the zone, the higher the number the pupa found. Furthermore, Lead treatment has significantly affect the success of climbing [F(3,19) = 34.132, p < 0.001] and climbing period [F(3,19) = 26.604, p < 0.001] of flies imago. ln conclusion, Lead affects the behavioral changes of D. melanogaster).