Genotype-Dependent Behavioral Plasticity in Drosophila melanogaster under Appetitive and Aversive Phototactic Conditioning Assessed through Genome-Wide Association of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms

This research investigates the natural phototaxis of Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) and explores how their behavior can be modified through learning and memory mechanisms. The study used the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) to assess the influence of genotypic differences on behavioral outcomes. By analyzing 14 DGRP lines, I examined the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on learning and memory concerning light preferences. By analyzing appetitive and aversive phototaxis assays, I recorded the flies’ responses to light and dark environments under controlled conditions. Statistical analysis showed significant learning behaviors across many genotypes. There was a strong indication of an innate ability to change light preferences. Notably, genotypes DGRP 239, 369, 142, 360, and 161 showed a reduced capacity for learning, which may be due to insufficient sample sizes affecting the results. This study expands on the role of genetics in shaping behavior, and further analysis using this data could be used for genetic disorder research.