Biosatellite II--physiological and somatic effects on insects.

Interesting physiological and somatic effects of space flight have been observed in a variety of insects on board Biosatellite II. Wasps, beetles and fruit flies have demonstrated positive effects of the space flight alone or in combination with irradiation. In the flour beetle, Tribolium confusum, the incidence of a developmental wing abnormality was measured.

Mutational responses of insects in the Biosatellite II experiment.

Genetic effects associated with space flight include mutation induction by the space flight itself, and enhancements or antagonisms of radiation-induced mutations. The conditions of space flight vary in mutagenic effectiveness from no response at all to responses nine times that found in ground-based controls. The test systems follow the sensitivity pattern: spermatogonial translocations > oogonial and oocyte nondisjunction > recessive lethality of stages in spermatogenesis > dominant lethality of stages in spermatogenesis.