An ecological classification of European Drosophila species

The associations shown between species of Drosophila collected in three European countries are analysed using a clustering method. The resulting dendrograms are combined to give a plan of associations shown by all three surveys. These general groupings are interpreted in the light of what is known about Drosophila breeding sites.One ecological group, the fungal breeding species are examined in detail and their pattern of geographical associations investigated. The three most abundant species in collections, D. transversa, D. phalerata and D. cameraria appear to replace one another in a north-south direction in western Europe. It is suggested that ecologically marginal areas may be defined using the frequency of a species within its ecological group.