Most of the relationships, facts, and figures on this page where obtained from:
        Lemeunier, F., J.R. David, L. Tsacas, and M. Ashburner. "The melanogaster species group." The Genetics and Biology of Drosophila. Ed. M. Ashburner, H.L. Carson, and J.N. Thompson, Jr.  New York: New York  Academic Press, 1986.  147-256.

A good paper to read on the melanogaster group:
        Bock (1980). "Current status of the Drosophila melanogaster species group (Diptera)". Syst. Entomol. 5:341-356.
 
 

Some common characteristics of the melanogaster species group:
        yellowish-tan body color
        shiny black male abdomen
        sexcombs on male foreleg
        spiral testes in males
        external male genetalia includes genetal arch, pair of anal plates, and dentate claspers
 
 

The melanogaster species group originated in south-east Asia.

         D. elegans male genetalia                                             D. elegans male sex combs

      D. ficusphila male genetalia                                            D. ficusphila male sex combs

                D. apectinata, D. brunettii, D. illiata, D. opisthomelaina, and D. prashadi distribution map

                                                D. flavorhirta  (circled) distribution map

  D. ficusphila and D. denticulata distribution map         D. eugracilis  and D. elegans distribution map

Last updated: 4/17/00