Drosophila

Drosophila (/drəˈsɒfɪlə/, from Greek δρόσος (drosos, “dew”) + φίλος (philos, “loving”), is a genus of small fruit flies, belonging to the family Drosophilidae. The species are often called “small fruit flies” or (less frequently) pomace flies, vinegar flies, or wine flies, although the latter two terms also refer to other small fly species. They are found in temperate and tropical climates throughout the world, with more than 1,500 species described. As of 2019[update], about 360 species have been identified in North America. In Europe there are over 400 species, while Africa and South America support approximately 300 each. The vast majority of these occur naturally in yeasts growing on rotting fruits or vegetables. Many other drosophilids feed on fungi,:381 aphids,:287 plant sap,:93 decaying organic matter:79 and even carrion; feeding habits range from detritivores to parasites. Larvae typically lack functional legs except for two claw-like structures used for mobility within their puparium. As such they must crawl around until they find an appropriate place to pupate. Adults generally live less than two weeks but can survive up to a month in ideal conditions.:367–368 Some drosophilid genera include: Acletoxopterus Drosophila Sophrophora Scaptomyza Zaprionus Styloptera There is extensive research into Drosophila as a model organism because it is relatively easy and inexpensive to care for and maintain in the laboratory; further it has well- characterized genetic structure that facilitates both classical genetics experiments as well as molecular studies designed to elucidate gene function at cellular and developmental levels. Studies using Drosophila have contributed importantly not only to our understanding of basic biological processes but also specific human diseases including cancers, neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease , Alzheimer’s disease , amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)[19 ], muscular dystrophy [20 ][21 ], diabetes mellitus type 2, obesity ,, heart failure,, substance abuse,,, neurological disorders such as schizophrenia – autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-.