Seasonal and spatial distribution of two sibling species, Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract

In this paper we examined seasonal and spatial distribution of two sibling fruit fly species, Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans in two adjacent habitats, domestic and semidomestic. Those species showed fine differences in temporal and spatial distribution. D. melanogaster was absolutely dominant in domestic habitat (balcony of the building). In park collections (semidomestic habitat), D. simulans became numerous in autumn collections, while D. melanogaster was recorded in significant proportion during summer months, July and August. In relation to the total catch of two species during "Drosophila season", D. melanogaster was found in more than 99% of captured specimens in the melanogaster/simulans balcony collections (Z = 72.72; P<0.01), while D. simulans was recorded in more than 70% of individuals collected in the park (Z = -60.10; P<0.01). Differences in the seasonal and microspatial distribution of the two species as well as in their behaviour, reflect differences in their preferences for ecological factors in the niches, which they occupy. © 2014 Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research - BAS.