Data from: The ‘dance’ of life: visualizing metamorphosis during pupation in the blow fly Calliphora vicina by X-ray video imaging and micro-computed tomography
Data files
Dec 09, 2016 version files 129.29 MB
-
Open Science - Metamorphosis Movies S1.avi
18.02 MB
-
Open Science - Metamorphosis Movies S2.avi
14.63 MB
-
Open Science - Metamorphosis Movies S3 - 6hAPsagittal_24fps .avi
24.35 MB
-
Open Science - Metamorphosis Movies S4 - 6hAPhorizontal_24fps.avi
25.11 MB
-
Open Science - Metamorphosis Movies S5 - 24hAPsagittal_24fps.avi
10.45 MB
-
Open Science - Metamorphosis Movies S6 - 24hAPhorizontal_24fps.avi
10.96 MB
-
Open Science - Metamorphosis Movies S7 - 30hAPsagittal_24fps.avi
12.75 MB
-
Open Science - Metamorphosis Movies S8 - 30hAPhorizontal_24fps.avi
13.01 MB
Abstract
The dramatic metamorphosis from larva to adult of insect orders such as Diptera cannot usually be witnessed because it occurs within an opaque structure. For the cyclorrhaphous dipterans, such as blow flies, this structure is the puparium, formed from the larval cuticle. Here, we reveal metamorphosis within the puparium of a blow fly at higher temporal resolution than previously possible with two-dimensional time-lapse videos created using the X-ray within a micro-computed tomography scanner, imaging development at 1 min and 2 min intervals. Our studies confirm that the most profound morphological changes occur during just 0.5% of the intrapuparial period (approx. equivalent to 1.25 h at 24°C) and demonstrate the significant potential of this technique to complement other methods for the study of developmental changes, such as hormone control and gene expression. We hope this will stimulate a renewed interest among students and researchers in the study of morphology and its astonishing transformation engendered by metamorphosis.