Figure 1.

Sequence of seizure-and-paralysis responses observed in a bang-sensitive mutant following mechanical shock (vortexing). The behavioral repertoire of bas eas double-mutant flies is shown here as an example. Initially, paralysis occurs with contorted posturing (a), followed by a period of uncoordinated leg movement (b). After a period of quiescence, wing buzzing may occur (c), sometimes even causing the fly to spin (d). The fly may resume the contorted posture (e). Such episodes (a–e) can be repeated one or more times. Eventually, the fly recovers to right itself (f) and walk away. Similar components of seizure-and-paralysis behaviors are seen in the response sequence during temperature-induced paralysis (see Fig. 2). Such components are also found in the behavioral repertoire of all bang-sensitive mutants studied here but the exact sequence differs between individual mutants (Burg, 1987). Photo exposure time = 5 sec.