Availability of the University of Texas Publications Dealing with Drosophila

Marshall R. Wheeler

From 1940 to 1972 many research articles were published by the University Press in the series, “Studies in the Genetics of Drosophila” with J.T. Patterson as editor and later (from 1957-1972) with M.R. Wheeler as editor.  In 1960 the series title was changed to “Studies in Genetics.”  There were also a few special issues.  Many of these are now out of print (OOP);  all known copies of the remaining issues have been made available by Dr. Wheeler.

            Some issues were given titles and subtitles, but the Publication Number (e.g., UTP 4213) is the best reference.  This is the complete list of all the publications:

            1940: UTP 4032 (OOP).  1942: UTP 4213 (OOP).  1942: UTP 4228 (OOP).  1943: UTP 4313, “Drosophilidae of the Southwest” (OOP).  1944: UTP 4445, with “Drosophilidae of Mexico” (OOP).  1947: UTP 4720, “Isolating Mechanisms” (OOP).  1949: UTP 4920 (OOP).  1952: UTP 5204 (25 copies).  1954: UTP 5422 (OOP).  1957: UTP 5721 (45 copies).  1959: UTP 5914, “Biological Contributions.” Dr. Patterson’s 80^th birthday issue (59 copies).  1960: UTP 6014 (16 copies).  1962: UTP 6205 (63 copies).  1966: UTP 6615, Morgan Centennial Issue (28 copies).  1968: UTP 6818 (24 copies).  1969: UTP 6918, W.S. Stone Memorial Issue (12 copies).  1971: UTP 7103 (22 copies).  Final volume, 1972: UTP 7213 (29 copies).

            The copies are available from the office of the Editor, Drosophila Information Service;  contact Dr. James N. Thompson, jr., for details.  Dr. Wheeler has copies of most of those listed as OOP (Out-Of-Print) and may be able to make copies of individual articles if requested (for a per-page charge).  Write him at:  Dr. Marshall R. Wheeler, 1313 Ardenwood Road, Austin, TX  78722-1105.

New Book Announcements

James N. Thompson, jr., Editor, Drosophila Information Service

 

King, Robert C., and William D. Stansfield.  2002,  A Dictionary of Genetics, Sixth Edition.  Oxford University Press.  530 pp.  ISBN:  0-19-514325-6.

 

Of the many books on our office shelves, few titles are probably drawn out more often than a good dictionary.  From its first edition in 1968, Bob King and his colleagues have provided a dictionary with accurate, informative, and easily accessible information benefitting untold numbers of teachers, researchers, and students.  Most of us focus our research on a relatively defined area of emphasis, and we know its terminology well.  But we still teach broadly to undergraduates and talk to the public about work in many of the growing branches of genetics.  We mentor graduate students exploring new directions, and we try to enlarge our own sphere of experience by reading in other areas of this rapidly expanding field.  A good dictionary is indispensible.  In this 6^th edition, Drs. King and Stansfield have kept alive a trusted tradition.  With approximately 7,000 definitions and many clear illustrations, this book will be a valued addition to the books you keep close at hand.  Appendices add to its usefulness.  For example, browsing through the 53 page chronology of landmark contributions to the study of genetics, cytology, and evolutionary biology helps us remain humble as we consider the many creative minds who helped establish the foundation on which our field builds every day.  Accurate information – Easy access – Historical perspective.  What more can you ask?

 

Held, Lewis I., Jr.  2002.  Imaginal Discs:  The Genetic and Cellular Logic of Pattern Formation.  Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.  460 pp.  ISBN: 0-521-58445-0. 

 

The genetics of pattern formation is understandably one of the most important and one of the most complex areas of research in developmental biology.  In this new book by Lewis Held, we have an excellent guide to both the known and the unknown dimensions of the field.  It is a timely addition to the respected Developmental and Cell Biology Series, published by Cambridge University Press.  Lewis Held employs an historical perspective to place ideas and models in context.  Extensive use of informative illustrations, detailed tables, and a clear narrative helps the reader relate theoretical models to the evidence associated with the action of known genes.  A “wiring diagram” format in many of the illustrations helps the reader to decipher the complex relationships among genes and pathways.  I found one especially enjoyable section to be an “Inventory of Models, Mysteries, Devices, and Epiphanies.”  This appendix cross-references many key ideas to the sections in the text where they are discussed in more detail.  A bibliography of 4900 entries and an extensive index make it easy to find specific information.  I have returned repeatedly to Lewis’ earlier book, Models for Embryonic Periodicity, and have always marveled at his insightful ability to identify key elements of a complex process, explain the mechanisms, and outline alternative hypotheses where appropriate.  This book is both an instructional reference and a readable text that will be appreciated by all those who draw from its wealth of information. 

 

 

 

Call for Papers

 

Submissions to Drosophila Information Service are welcome at any time, but one issue is published annually covering submissions during the calendar year.  Typically, we would like to have submissions no later than 15 December to insure their inclusion in the regular annual issue.  Submissions in Microsoft Word, which is now the program we use for our page setup, are especially helpful.  Please do not embed elaborate formatting commands, since these have to be removed before we can use the file to create the printer's version.   Submissions by email are also possible, but if they are sent as attached files, we have greatest success using MS Word or text file (such as *.rtf) formats.  It is also sometimes useful to have a paper copy to facilitate accurate formatting, especially where tables are concerned.  Details are given in the Guide to Authors, which can be found on our web page at www.ou.edu/journals/dis.

 

 

Guide to Authors

 

Drosophila Information Service prints short research, technique, and teaching articles, descriptions of new mutations, stock lists, directory information, and other material of general interest to Drosophila researchers.  The current publication schedule for regular issues is annually, with the official publication date being December.  The annual issue will include material submitted during the calendar year.  To help us meet this target date, we request that submissions be sent by 15 December, but articles are accepted at any time.  A receipt deadline of 31 December is a firm deadline, due to printer submission schedules.  Electronic submissions are encouraged, and may be required for lengthy or complex articles.

 

Manuscripts, orders, and inquiries concerning the regular annual DIS issue should be sent to James Thompson, Department of Zoology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK  73019.  Telephone (405)-325-4821;  email  jthompson@ou.edu;  FAX (405)-325-7560.

 

Submission:  Articles should be submitted electronically, if possible.  Alternatively, we ask that a diskette be included with an article mailed to us.  MS Word or Rich Text Formats are preferred.  To help minimize editorial costs, proofs will not be sent to authors unless there is a question that needs to be clarified or they are specifically requested by the authors at the time of submission.  The editor reserves the right to make minor grammatical and stylistic changes if necessary to conform to DIS format.  If the article contains tables, line figures, or black and white half tones, we ask that a printed copy be mailed to us, even if the article is submitted electronically.  Sometimes differences in printer format or software releases cause alignment errors, and a printed copy helps us recognize these.

           

Citation of References:  Citation should be by name and date in the text of an article (Smith, 1989;  Jin and Brown, 1990;  Waters et al., 1990).  At the end of the article, references should be listed alphabetically by senior author, listing all authors with initials, date, journal, volume and page numbers.  Titles will not be included except for books, unpublished theses, and articles in press.  An example format is:

            Waters, R.L., J.T. Smith, and R.R. Brown 1990, J. Genet. 47: 123-134.

            Green, R.L., 1998, Heredity 121: 430-442.

 

Stock Lists, Specialized Bibliographies, and Long Technical Articles:  Long or complex material can generally not be accepted unless it is submitted electronically or on diskette, with a printed copy for editorial guidance.  There is no technical staff for this journal, so all set up is done in person by the editors. We encourage submission of lists and other documentary material to complement presentations in other journals that might have more restrictive space limits or costs.  That is, some have published the equivalent of an appendix in DIS, referencing the principal article in another journal.  Except as part of a biographical record or review, bibliographic lists will no longer be printed, since they are now readily available by other means.

 

Figures and Tables:  Both line drawings and black and white half-tone illustrations will be accepted, but half-tones should be provided in high contrast black and white.  We are currently unable to publish figures in color, although the web version will be in color when appropriate. Tonal figures can also be submitted electronically, but resolution is often not as clear as when we are able to make professional half-tones from high contrast black and white photographs.  All tables are retyped by us to fit a uniform style, and it is critical that all numbers and symbols be clearly arranged and legible.