Polymorphisms in the Chromosomal Locations of Elements of the 412, Copia and 297 Dispersed Repeated Gene Families in Drosophila

The number and chromosomal locations of elements of the 412, copia and 297 dispersed repeated gene families differ extensively when the genomes of four D. melanogaster strains are compared. Differences among individuals from the same laboratory stock in the arrangement of these elements are also observed. In contrast to these polymorphisms, the structures of the elements themselves are closely conserved. Our results indicate that 412, copia and 297 are capable of evolutionarily rapid transpositions to new chromosomal sites.