New Species of the Quinaria Group of Drosophila (Diptera, Drosophilidae)

Abstract

The widespread American species called is shown to be undescribed, while the Rocky Mountain species, subquinaria Spencer, agrees in most respects with the European transversa. Three new species of this complex are described: Drosophila falleni from Ontario to Florida to Texas to Minnesota; recens from North Dakota to Maine and Ontario; and rellima from Nebraska, Oregon and California. The European species Drosophila transversa Fallen was first re- ported from North America by Loew (1864), and later authors have continued to use this name for a common species of the eastern United States. Hsu (1949) pointed out, however, that the male genitalia of American specimens differed from that of from Switzer- land and from China. In reinvestigating this problem I have had the loan of additional material from the U. S. National Museum, through the assistance of Dr. W. W. Wirth, and from the Canadian National Collection, through the assistance of Dr. J. F. McAlpine. In addition, Mr. E. B. Basden of Edinburgh, Scotland, has most generously supplied speci- mens, drawings, photographs and copious notes on true European transversa, including data on the lectotype and syntypes from Falldn's collection. It is now clear that the widespread American species going under the name transversa is quite distinct; it is described below as Dro- sophila falleni in honor of the famous dipterist who established the genus Drosophila in 1823. Examination of the male genitalia of some American members of the quinaria species group revealed, however, that Drosophila sub- quinaria Spencer is extremely similar to the true transversa; hybridi- zation tests between them will be carried out in the near future to confirm or deny this possible synonymy. During this study two additional new species of the quinaria group were discovered; these are described below as D. recens and rellima. Holotypes of the new species are in the Drosophila Type and Refer- ence Collection of the University of Texas, Austin. Some paratypes