Radiosensitivity of the extra-large (XL) mutant of tribolium confusum (coleoptera: tenebrionidae)

The radiosensitivity of a wild-type (+/+) laboratory strain of Tribolium confusum Jacquelin duVal was compared with that of an extra-large (xl/xl) strain known to differ in only a sinle locus. Differences in both longevity and fecundity between the two strains after irradiation were very highly significant (p < 0.001), but real differences between strains in these biological characteristics may have produced the differential response. When differences in longevity and fecundity were corrected for the unirradiated control, there were only minor differences in response between the two strains. Thus, physical size alone apparently did not greatly influence the comparative radiosensitivity for the two strains of this species. (author)