Lesion in the common amino termini of male- and female-specific dsx proteins but at a site in the common region that is more important for dsx function in females.
When heterozygous with a null dsx mutation, chromosomally female individuals transform into intersexes and chromosomally male individuals have normal sexual development but are sterile and have small testis.
Like dsx1, X/X and X/Y flies have external characteristics of both sexes and are similar except for a slight difference in size. No sex combs. Last abdominal segments form rather well-developed but rotated male-like terminalia with female-like structures of the seventh and eighth tergites. Rudimentary gonads usually a mass of undifferentiated tissue.
Hazelrigg.