FAMILY DROSOPHILIDAE.

Area of Science:

• Entomology
• Biodiversity Studies
• Zoology

Background:

• The family Drosophilidae, commonly known as fruit flies, is globally diverse.
• Colombia's rich biodiversity includes a largely uncatalogued Drosophilidae fauna.
• Previous inventories have not comprehensively documented Drosophilidae species in Colombia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a catalogue of Drosophilidae species found in Colombia.
• To identify gaps in current knowledge and sampling efforts for Colombian Drosophilidae.
• To stimulate further research and inventories of these flies in the country.

Main Methods:

• Compilation of existing records and new collections of Drosophilidae from Colombia.
• Taxonomic identification of species belonging to the subfamilies Drosophilinae and Steganinae.
• Analysis of distribution and diversity based on available data.

Main Results:

• A catalogue of 176 Drosophilidae species, encompassing 17 genera and four tribes, is presented.
• Both Drosophilinae and Steganinae subfamilies are represented in Colombia.
• The current catalogue is likely an underestimate of the true species richness due to sampling limitations and exclusion of data from neighboring countries.

Conclusions:

• The documented 176 Drosophilidae species represent a partial inventory of Colombia's fruit fly fauna.
• Significant spatial gaps in collections and the exclusion of potential species indicate a need for more extensive surveys.
• This catalogue serves as a baseline to encourage future research and expand the understanding of Drosophilidae diversity in Colombia.