What is the Difference Between Drosophila and Neurospora

The main difference between Drosophila and Neurospora is that Drosophila is a genus of small fruit flies, whereas Neurospora is a genus of ascomycetes fungi.

Drosophila and Neurospora are two genera that contain organisms using decaying organic matter as their energy source. 

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Drosophila
– Definition, Features, Importance
2. What is Neurospora
– Definition, Features, Importance
3. Similarities Between Drosophila and Neurospora
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Drosophila and Neurospora
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms 

Common Fruit Fly, Drosophila, Neurospora, Vinegar Fly

What is Drosophila

Drosophila is a genus of fly that belongs to the family Drosophilidae. Other names for the species include common fruit fly and vinegar fly. In general, a fruit fly has a yellow-brown color. The average size of it is 3 mm in length and 2 mm in width. Moreover, they have a segmented body into the head, thorax, and abdomen. In addition, the transverse black rings in the abdomen are the main distinguishing feature of male and female fruit flies. Fruit flies are hexapod insects with typically three pairs of legs in the thorax.

Figure 1: Drosophila

Furthermore, these flies walk using a tripod gait in which three legs swing together while the other three remain stationary. Besides, the fruit flies belong to the order Diptera, the order of true flies having two wings. They also have five large, brick-red eyes and antennae. Moreover, the proboscis is the feeding organ of a general fly, and it is used for both taste cue detection and food ingestion. More importantly, the natural habitat of fruit flies is rotting fruits.

What is Neurospora

Neurospora is a genus of Ascomycetes fungi that produce molds. The species of Neurospora include Neurospora crassa, Neurospora intermedia, and Neurospora tetrasperma. The orange bread mold is the common name for Neurospora. The plasma membrane encloses Neurospora’s cytoplasm, and the cell wall is typically made up of chitin. There are three common cell types in Neurospora. They are hyphal, conidium, and ascospore cells. The hyphal cells are rigid, and their tips are smooth. Another specialized hyphae type in Neurospora is Conidial anastomosis tubes (CATs). They are smaller and have a determinate growth. In addition, ascospores are the unit of dispersal that are more resistant than conidia.

Figure 2: Neurospora

Moreover, Neurospora is a filamentous fungus that grows very fast. It can grow 10 cm per day. Also, it feeds on burnt plant matter as a food source. Additionally, it feeds on bread and other food sources. Therefore, Neurospora is a heterotrophic organism. The reproduction of Neurospora occurs both sexually and asexually. Most phases of its life cycle are haploid. 

Similarities Between Drosophila and Neurospora

• Drosophila and Neurospora are two genera.
• They contain organisms that depend on decaying organic matter. 

Difference Between Drosophila and Neurospora

Definition

Drosophila refers to a genus of flies belonging to the family Drosophilidae, whose members are often called “small fruit flies” or (less frequently) pomace flies, vinegar flies, or wine flies. At the same time, Neurospora refers to any of a genus (Neurospora of the family Sordariaceae) of ascomycetous fungi that are used extensively in genetic research and have black perithecia and persistent asci and some of which have salmon-pink or orange spore masses and are severe pests in bakeries.

Significance

Drosophila is a genus of small fruit flies, while Neurospora is a genus of ascomycetes fungi.

Feeds on

Drosophila feeds on overripe or rotting fruits, while Neurospora grows on bread and other food products. 

Conclusion

In brief, Drosophila and Neurospora are two genera that depend on decaying organic matter. Drosophila is a genus of small fruit flies that depend on overripe or rotting fruits. In comparison, Neurospora is a genus of ascomycetes fungi that depend on bread and other food products. Therefore, the main difference between Drosophila and Neurospora is their food source.  

References:

1. Drosophila. Drosophila – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). 
2. Neurospora crassa. Neurospora crassa – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). 

Image Courtesy:

1. “Drosophila melanogaster – side (aka)” By André Karwath aka Aka – Own work (CC-BY SA 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Heart sys Neurospora crassahyphae” By Roland Gromes – Own Work (CC-BY SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia