[Genetic structure of mobile elements of the "Penelope" family in closely related Drosophila species]. / Geneticheskaia struktura mobil'nykh élementov semeistva "Penelopa" u blizkikh vidov Drosophila.

Genomic libraries were obtained from species belonging to the "virilis" group of Drosophila. Several copies of Penelope elements were isolated from these libraries by using a D. virilis Penelope clone as a probe. The elements were sequenced, and their structure was determined. The geographical distribution of this family of mobile elements in closely related species of the group was studied in detail. Cytological localization of the elements was also carried out. The high variability observed between different copies of Penelope is probably due to recombination between individual copies. The role of these elements in the evolution of closely related species is discussed.