A genus of small fruit flies (Drosophilidae) with varying wing vein patterns and notable for Hawaiian endemic species used in evolutionary research.
From Greek hetero- (different) and neura (nerves/veins), referring to the distinctive variable wing vein patterns that characterize this genus of flies.
Scientists use Hawaiian Heteroneura flies to study evolution because they radiated into hundreds of species in isolation—watching how their wing patterns changed tells us how quickly evolution can create diversity on island habitats!
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