How looks like Drosophila in different Romanian ecosystems. Gallia A. Butnaru¹, Cristina Chelu², Cristina Popescu³. 1) Prof. Dept of Genetics, Banat Univ of Agricultural Sci ences and Veterinary Medicine from Timisoara, Romania; 2) Ingenuity Systems Inc., Redwood City, California, Romanian Branch; 3) West University Vasile Goldis from Arad, Romania.

   To answer to ecological questions we have in mind the A. Krogh phrase for many problems there is an animal on which it can be most conveniently studied. The Drosophila ecotypes were used as comparative model for the Trichogramma sp. studies. The Drosophila and Trichogramma ecotypes were collected from the same natural and anthropogenic polluted areas. To point out the evolutionary development and to establish the adaptive differences among the Drosophila and Trichogramma ecotypes was the main purpose of our research. Drosophila ecotypes characterization was based on two criteria: 1) morphological dimorphism and 2) evolutionary distance among them. 15 ecotypes were compared with w1118, ebony and Oregon genotypes. According to the first criterion there were two distinct groups; with a strong differentiation between females and males in case of Timisoara, Socodor, Nadab, Maru and Tg. Jiu ecotypes being closely related to w1118 genotype. Among Bucovat, Govora, Barzava, Rosia Montana, and Monorostia the sexual dimorphism was less expressed. The second criterion, genetic polymorphism was checked by RAPD method. The 10 markers used pointed out two distinct groups. The bands type emphasizes absence and presence of unique bands in Timisoara and Socodor respectively. The most interesting ecotype was PN - black body, sepia eye, long life cycle and an unusually pupation. Partially reproductive barrier is among PN and other strains and ecotypes. The size of PN L3 imaginal wing discs is significantly lower then the wild type. The most atypical phenotype of PN was observed in the fertilized eggs which exhibit 6 - 8 appendices. It is amazing its evolutionary development.