Invasion of Drosophila virilis by the Penelope transposable element.

The Penelope family of transposable elements (TEs) is broadly distributed in most species of the virilis species group of Drosophila. This element plays a pivotal role in hybrid dysgenesis in Drosophila virilis, in which at least four additional TE families are also activated. Here we present evidence that the Penelope family of elements has recently invaded D.

Distribution and evolution of mobile elements in the virilis species group of Drosophila.

The distributions of Penelope and Ulysses, two transposable elements that can induce hybrid dysgenesis, were studied in several species groups of Drosophila. No significant hybridization to Penelope and Ulysses probes was detected by Southern blot analyses of species outside the virilis group. In contrast, both element families have had a long residence in all species of the virilis species group, as indicated by their strong presence in the heterochromatic chromocenter.