Cytogenetic Relationships of Drosophila Affinidisjuncta Hardy

• Published in: The American midland naturalist Vol. 99; no. 2; pp. 352 - 360
• Main Authors: Baimai, Visut, Ahearn, Jayne N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Notre Dame 01-04-1978
• Subjects: Chromosomes; Drosophila; Endemic species; Evolutionary genetics; Genetic hybridization; Heterochromatin; Hybridity; Karyotype; Male animals; Metaphase
• ISSN: 0003-0031; 1938-4238
• DOI: 10.2307/2424812

Cytological investigations of the mitotic metaphase chromosomes in the disjuncta - bostrycha species complex have led to the discovery of a new species of the picture-winged group, Drosophila affinidisjuncta Hardy from West Maui. Interspecific variation of metaphase karyotype is due to the amount and distribution of heterochromatin in the chromosome complement. The results of hybridization tests among these three homosequential species verifies the full-fledged species status of the new species. The cytological method is useful as a diagnostic tool for the recognition of species differences in this cluster of morphologically very similar species. It is further suggested that this metaphase chromosome technique has potentially wide application in systematic and evolutionary studies of the endemic Hawaiian drosophilids.