Illustrated manual for research with Drosophila: volume I

Abstract

Drosophila (Diptera, Drosophilidae), a model organism in biological studies with an emphasis on genetics, evolution, and ecology, lacks an updated manual for beginners researchers containing general information on species morphology, manipulation in laboratory, and taxonomy. There is a classic work dating from 1950 and others also of this decade, but they are of limited access and incomplete in relation to the currently known species. Our research group began preparing an illustrated manual containing a description of collection methods, maintenance of the species in the laboratory, diagnostic morphological characteristics of the species as well as an identification key for the main species from the State of São Paulo. It should be emphasized that of the more than 130 known species in Brazil, 95 have been recorded in this State. Photographic plates of 33 species and an identification key we also are included from different groups of the Drosophila genus and the species Zaprionus Indians. We intend to have this material printed and available online in order to be used in support of studies of drosophila biodiversity in the Neotropical region.