Illustrated guide for research in Drosophila: containing key dichotomous to identification updated

Abstract

Drosophila (Diptera, Drosophilidae), a model organism in biological studieswith emphasis in 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 this decade, but they are of limited access and incomplete in relation to the currently known species. Of the more than 181 species known in Brazil, 120 have been registered in the State of São Paulo. A work is being carried out by our research group, which present a wide content of the main methodologies used in research with Drosophila and with emphasis on taxonomy, systematics and biodiversity. It also contains a dichotomous identification key of 32 species of occurrence in forest and biome fragments of the Atlantic Forest of the State of São Paulo (FAPESP: 2015/17579-7). The present project aims at the continuity of this work, with the inclusion of the description of the characteristics and illustrations of another 11 species of Drosophila and the update of the dichotomous key. At the end, this work will have the documentation of 40 species of Drosophila and more 2 species of drosophilids including almost 50% of the species with occurrence of the State of São Paulo. We intend to have this material printed and available online in order to be used in support to studies of drosophilidae biodiversity in the Neotropical region. (AU)