Fate-mapping in wild-typeDrosophila melanogaster

Abstract

The pattern of cell proliferation and cell move- ments in Drosophila embryogenesis has been analysed with the aim of constructing a blastoderm fate map. Post-blasto- derm cell proliferation starts at gastrulation and ends around the stage of germ band shortening. Three mitotic waves affect the embryonic cells according to a constant spatio-temporal pattern. For any of these waves mitotic activity starts at well-defined loci, which have been called mitotic centres. During the first and second mitotic waves all cells undergo mitosis, except for those of the amniosero- sa, which do not proliferate at all. The third wave spares most of the ectodermal cells. Neuroblasts, progenitors of epidermal sensilla and germ line cells show their own, differ- ent pattern of proliferation.