Interallelic complementation for pyrimidine requirement in rudimentary mutants of Drosophila melanogaster

Complementation at the rudimentary locus in Drosophila melanogaster is reported for the nutritional requirement observed earlier in the rudimentary mutants. It is demonstrated that this complementation parallels that for wing phenotype, and that at the same time it is a more potent and quantitative test for complementation at this locus. The possible molecular basis for the observed complementation is discussed in the light of current knowledge of the genetic regulation of pyrimidine biosynthesis in other organisms.