Sophophora
The paraphyletic subgenus Sophophora of the genus Drosophila was first described by Alfred Sturtevant in 1939. It contains the best-known drosophilid species, Drosophila melanogaster. Sophophora translates as carrier of wisdom. The subgenus is paraphyletic because the genus Lordiphosa and the species Hirtodrosophila duncani are also placed within this subgenus.
Phylogeny
Currently, 10 species groups are recognized, in two main groups, the New World and the Old WorldOld World:
- Drosophila [melanogaster species group|melanogaster species group]
- montium species group
- ananassae species group
- Drosophila [obscura species group|obscura species group]
- dentissima species group
- Drosophila [fima species group|fima species group]
- Drosophila [dispar species group|dispar species group]
- settifemur species group
Unknown: