SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF GENUS DROSOPHILA FROM VIRTUALLY UNEXPLORED CITIES OF PAKISTAN

Although the climatic conditions of Pakistan are suitable for propagation of Drosophila species yet there is a big lapse in using Drosophila as an experimental model. Out of 1579 globally reported species of Drosophila, 149 species have been found in India. Whereas, only 20 species have been reported from Pakistan. More than 100 species of Drosophila are expected to be present that are still unexplored. A study was carried out from October 2013 to November 2014 to explore Drosophila fauna from four virtually unexplored cities of Pakistan. The cities included in this study were Karachi, Murree, Barian and Nathia Gali. The Drosophila flies were captured from the wild by using suitable baits. Single female cultures were raised in porridge, sugar and yeast medium. Cultures were successfully transported, in larval form to Drosophila laboratory. Pure cultures, maintained in the laboratory, were used for morphological studies. For the final identification authentic literature and key guides were used. Species identified were: Drosophila immigrans: Sturtevant 1921, D. melanogaster: Meigen, 1830, D. takahashii: Sturtevant, 1927, D. jambulina: Parshad and Paika, 1964 and D. ananassae: Doleschall, 1858. The distribution of Drosophila genus in some parts Pakistan is discussed.