Drosophila sechellia is a close relative of the heavily studied model organism Drosophila melanogaster. An island endemic of the Seychelles, D. sechellia has evolved into a host specialist on the fruit of Morinda citrifolia – a fruit often noxious and repulsive to Drosophila. Specialization on M. citrifolia required the evolution of a suite of adaptations, including resistance to and preference for some of the toxins found in this fruit. The species' close relationship to and distinct differences from other model organisms have made it a ripe case study for evolutionary geneticists.

Natural History

D. sechellia Labs

Resources

BLAST

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Copyright 2011
Last Modified 4/2011