Evolutionary study of Drosphilid flies
Citation
University of New England (2024). Evolutionary study of Drosphilid flies. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/yzu87f accessed via GBIF.org on 2025-06-20.Description
Drosophilid flies of various species are known to inhabit the flowers of different plant species in Hawaii, South America and Australia, feeding on microorganisms, courting and mating, with females inserting their eggs into the flower petals. The two Australian species recorded here have particular advantages for research in evolutionary genetics ? their host plants occur in isolated populations spread over very broad geographical areas (that is, climatic and topographical variation).Purpose
Sampling Description
Method steps
- Flies were collected by netting or enclosing individual flowers in plastic bags, from which they were aspirated into vials, anaesthetised and examined microscopically to confirm species identification. Traits then measured in the field included wing length (as a proxy for body size) and ovariole number (as a proxy for reproductive output). If relevant, the research was supported by grants from the Australian Research Council and from the International Programs of the National Science Foundation (USA).
Taxonomic Coverages
Geographic Coverages
Bibliographic Citations
Contacts
originatorEvolutionary study of Drosphilid flies
metadata author
Evolutionary study of Drosphilid flies
distributor
Atlas of Living Australia
CSIRO Ecosystems Services
Canberra
2601
ACT
AU
email: info@ala.org.au
J. (Stuart) F. Barker
administrative point of contact
position: editor
email: sbarker@une.edu.au