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Drosophila is a genus of flies of the family Drosophilidae. It comprises over 1600 described species, [ 1 ] [ 2 ] but is estimated to have several thousands. [ 3 ] Alfred Sturtevant divided Drosophila into a number of subgenera , including Drosophila , Sophophora , and Dorsilopha .
Drosophila (/ d r ə ˈ s ɒ f ɪ l ə, d r ɒ-, d r oʊ-/ [1] [2]) is a genus of fly, belonging to the family Drosophilidae, whose members are often called "small fruit flies" or pomace flies, vinegar flies, or wine flies, a reference to the characteristic of many species to linger around overripe or rotting fruit.
The best known species of the Drosophilidae is Drosophila melanogaster, within the genus Drosophila, also called the "fruit fly." Drosophila melanogaster is used extensively for studies concerning genetics, development, physiology, ecology and behaviour. Many fundamental biological mechanisms were discovered first in D. melanogaster. [2]
Drosophila is sometimes referred to as a pest due to its tendency to live in human settlements where fermenting fruit is found. Flies may collect in homes, restaurants, stores, and other locations. [15] The name and behavior of this species of fly have led to the misconception that it is a biological security risk in Australia and
Currently, 10 species groups are recognized, in two main groups, the New World and the Old World [5] [6] [7] Old World: melanogaster species group (65 species, including D. melanogaster and D. simulans) montium species group (88) ananassae species group (24) obscura species group (44) dentissima species group (17) fima species group (23) dispar ...
Females can discriminate between males of different species, in part, by detecting species-specific differences in the male's courtship behavior. [2] When copulation does occur between different species, the hybrid progeny are often non-viable, sterile or fertile with lower fitness.
A D. virilis male (top) and female (bottom), showing the bright red gonads of the male. Drosophila virilis is a species of fruit fly with a worldwide distribution (probably due to human movements [1]), and was one of 12 fruit fly genomes sequenced for a large comparative study. [2]
Zaprionus tuberculatus (commonly known as the vinegar fly or the pomace fly) is a member of the subgenus and genus Zaprionus, family Drosophilidae, and order Diptera. [1] It is an invasive fruit fly that originated in Africa , [ 2 ] but can also be found in Europe and Asia . [ 3 ]