Diversity of the genus Drosophila (Diptera, Drosophilidae) in the Cruz Loma ravine, Pichincha, Ecuador
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Abstract
The Cruz Loma gorge on the eastern slope of the Pichincha volcano in the province of Pichincha , was sampled during 2008 and early 2009, in order to determine the composition of the genus Drosophila. Thirteen collection points were determined. Traps with banana and yeast were used. Samples were taken from 3 100 to 4 000 m altitude. Ecosystems sampled were the páramo (3 500-4 100 m) covered by the genera Calamagrostis and Festuca and subpáramo (3 000-3 500 m) composed mainly of shrub forest. A total of 713 individuals of different species of Drosophila were captured.
No specimens were collected over 3 850 m. Most individuals and species were recorded at 3 100 m (12 species). The months with the larger amounts of captured flies were July (239 specimens) and October (236 specimens). October was the month where the greatest number of species (14) were captured. Most abundant species were Drosophila rucux, (193 individuals captured throughout the year, from 3 100 up to 3 775 m), and Drosophila ecuatoriana (129 individuals captured from 3 100 up to 3 550 m altitude). Also, Drosophila hyalipennis Duda (1927) was also found for the first time in Ecuador at 3 325-3 400 m.
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