Work

The Family Drosophilidae in Saudi Arabia: An Overview, Identification Key, Eight New Records, and an Annotated List (Diptera: Acalyptratae)

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study presents an annotated list and an identification key for the Drosophilidae of Saudi Arabia, based on incidentally collected specimens and published records. It treats 16 species in 7 genera, three tribes (Colocasiomyini, Drosophilini, and Gitonini) and two subfamilies (Steganinae and Drosophilinae). Eight species are recorded for the first time from Saudi Arabia: Chymomyza cf. amoena (Loew, 1862), C. pararufithorax Vaidya and Godbole, 1973, Drosophila funebris (Fabricius, 1787), D. repleta Wollaston, 1858, Scaptomyza adusta (Loew, 1862), S. graminum (Fallén, 1823), Leucophenga bellula (Bergroth, 1894), and L. quinquemaculata Strobl, 1893. The genus Chymomyza Czerny, 1903 is also newly recorded from Saudi Arabia. For each species, taxonomic data, world and local distributions, and collection dates are given. Diagnoses for newly recorded taxa and photographs of some species are given as well. Species with documented human associations elsewhere are noted. A historical report of Drosophila simulans Sturtevant, 1919 from Saudi Arabia remains unconfirmed and is not counted. The list is a baseline and not a complete inventory.

Source: Taxonomy

DOI: 10.3390/taxonomy6040070

Authors: Hathal M. Al Dhafer, Mahmoud S. Abdel-Dayem, Yousif N. Aldryhim, Magdi S. El-Hawagry

Institutions: King Saud University, Cairo University

Language: English

Topic: Diptera species taxonomy and behavior

Subfield: Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,207

Funder: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology