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THE WILLISTONI GROUP OF SIBLING SPECIES OF DROSOPHILA
Author(s) -
Burla H.,
Cunha A. Brito da,
Cordeiro A. R.,
Dobzhansky Th.,
Malogolowkin C.,
Pavan C.
Publication year - 1949
Publication title -
evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.84
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1558-5646
pISSN - 0014-3820
DOI - 10.1111/j.1558-5646.1949.tb00031.x
Subject(s) - drosophila (subgenus) , library science , classics , biology , history , computer science , genetics , gene
Species in sexual cross-fertilizing organisms are reproductively isolated populations. Such populations may or may not be distinguishable in morphological characteristics. Mayr (10942) has proposed the designation "sibling species" for species that are morphologically similar or identical. Camp and Gilly (1943) have called such species phenons, and other authors have referred to them as physiological species (Lancefield, 1929), cryptic species, etc. The theoretical interest of sibling species lies in that their existence shows that reproductive isolation may arise without divergence in morphological traits, and that physiological differences are not necessarily accompanied by morphological ones. As disclosed especially by the work of J. T. Patterson and his school, the genus Drosophila contains several groups of closely related species with small morphological differences between them. The present article reports the results of a study of a cluster of four sibling species native to tropical America, that previously have been confused under the name of Drosophila zvillistoni Sturtevant.