On the subdivision of the genus Drosophila

There is now in progress in several laboratories a comparative study of the genetics of the species of Drosophila. Several authors have pointed out possible deductions concerning the history of the group that may be derived from such studies (e.g., Donald 1936, Sturtevant and Tan 1936, Serebrovsky 1938). If such deductions are to be of value, it is desirable that there be available a satisfactory arrangement of the species into some scheme of classification that can be taken as indicating their degree of genetic relationship. It is the purpose of this note to present the results of an attempt to derive a classification by a method as free of personal equation as it can be made.