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Fruit flies are first known animals that can taste alkaline foods

The ability to detect high pH could allow the insects to avoid toxic substances.
  1. Smriti Mallapaty
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Researchers have discovered an entirely new kind of taste receptor that allows fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) to detect alkaline substances — those that have a high pH — and avoid toxic meals and surfaces.

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-00825-4

Updates & Corrections

  • Clarification 28 March 2023: The story now includes a reference to a paper reporting the discovery of a receptor involved in detecting sour taste that is authored by Emily Liman and colleagues.

References

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