[
Worm Breeder's Gazette,
1979]
Mutants on the X-chromosome of the dioecious Panagrellus redivivus have been isolated and mapped. Four uncs and a long have been maintained in both sexes. Paralysed, twitchers and dumpies have been obtained, but males fail to mate. Three of the uncs have reduced mobility or coordination, while the fourth unc contracts when tapped on the head, but will not reverse. The long mutant is approximately 30% longer than wild type, with no decrease in body width, Recently a new phenotype, skinny, more than 100% longer and 25% thinner has been isolated by Yvonne Jordan. The frequency of mutation using standard EMS mutagenesis of L4s is 4. 4 X 10+E-4 mutations per visible locus. The number of essential genes on the P. redivivus X-chromosome is calculated at 320 on the basis of the frequency of lethal mutations corrected for double events. The gamma-irradiation induced mutation rate is 9 X 10+E-7 mutations per locus per rad, using a dose-rate of 4.5 Kr/min. Genetically marked L2s were exposed to doses of gamma radiation varying from 5 to 150 Kr. Using target theory applied to males it was calculated that 180, 130 and 1800 X-linked genes in the total P. redivivus genome are required to complete the second, third and final moult, respectively. The kinetics of the failure of females to develop after gamma-irradiation was more indicitive of chromosome breaks rather than point mutation.