TOWARD A MOLECULAR-GENETIC ANALYSIS OF SPERMATOGENESIS IN DROSOPHILA-MELANOGASTER - CHARACTERIZATION OF MALE-STERILE MUTANTS GENERATED BY SINGLE P ELEMENT MUTAGENESIS

We describe 83 recessive autosomal male-sterile mutations, generated b y single P element mutagenesis in Drosophila melanogaster. Each mutati on has been localized to a lettered subdivision of the polytene map. R eversion analyses, as well as complementation tests using available ch romosomal deficiencies, indicate that the insertions are responsible f or the mutant phenotypes. These mutations represent 63 complementation groups, 58 of which are required for spermatogenesis. Phenotypes of t he spermatogenesis mutants were analyzed by light microscopy. Mutation s in 12 loci affect germline proliferation, spermatocyte growth, or me iosis. Mutations in 46 other loci disrupt differentiation and maturati on of spermatids into motile sperm. This collection of male-sterile mu tants provides the basis for a molecular genetic analysis of spermatog enesis.