Drosophila ananassae: A good model species for genetical, behavioural and evolutionary studies.

ABSTRACT

Drosophila ananassae, a cosmopolitan and domestic species, was first described by Doleschall in 1858 from Indonesia. During 1930s, cytological and genetical investigations in D. ananassae were initiated in Japan and USA which showed that it is a genetically unique species. Since then a large number of studies have been carried out by researchers in Japan, USA, India, France and Germany in this genetically unique species. Present review briefly summarizes the work done on genetical, behavioural and evolutionary aspects in D. ananassae which demonstrates that it is a good model species for such studies. Further, it is also discussed how the work on D. ananassae has enriched our understanding of basic phenomena like evolution and behaviour compared to similar studies on other model Drosophilds like D. melanogaster, D. pseudoobscura or D.subobsura.