Muscle-tendon interactions in the absence of bones: Lessons from the fruit fly, drosophila

Abstract

Invertebrates provide a unique system in which to study how the musculoskeletal system operates and functions in the absence of bone structures. The fruit fly Drosophila Melanogaster has been used as an exciting animal model to study and elucidate various aspects of embryonic development, including the initial steps of muscle and tendon development and patterning [1-3].