The Hirtodrosophila melanderi species group (Diptera: Drosophilidae) from the Huanglong National Nature Reserve, Sichuan, China

Researchers have identified five new species within the Hirtodrosophila melanderi species group, including H. minshanensis, H. lambda, H. zhangae, H. zouae, and H. nigrispina, from the Huanglong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan, China. This discovery expands the known diversity of this fungivorous fly group, which is predominantly found at high altitudes near the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The study employed a combination of morphological analysis and DNA barcoding (mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequencing) to delimit species boundaries. Additionally, an updated identification key for all species in the H. melanderi group was provided, contributing to taxonomic clarity and biodiversity documentation in this UNESCO-listed region.

MEI, Y., KATOH, T. K., & GAO, J.-J. (2019). The Hirtodrosophila melanderi species group (Diptera: Drosophilidae) from the Huanglong National Nature Reserve, Sichuan, China. Zootaxa, 4623(1). https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4623.1.7