Dwil\copia is virtually identical in sequence to copia despite melanogaster and willistoni being separated from a common ancestor by approximately 50 million years. Although copia is abundant in all melanogaster group species it displays a patchy distribution in willistoni. A recent horizontal transfer of copia from melanogaster to willistoni is indicated.
Larval copia RNA levels are variable among Drosophila species, transcripts are detected in D.melanogaster, but not in D.simulans, D.mauritiana, D.sechellia, D.yakuba, D.erecta or D.willistoni. Size variation mapping to the LTR and ULR in naturally occurring copia elements is likely generated by duplication and is of functional significance.
Dwil\copia is virtually identical in sequence to copia despite melanogaster and willistoni being separated from a common ancestor by approximately 50 million years. Although copia is abundant in all melanogaster group species it displays a patchy distribution in willistoni. A recent horizontal transfer of copia from melanogaster to willistoni is indicated.
Larval copia RNA levels are variable among Drosophila species, transcripts are detected in D.melanogaster, but not in D.simulans, D.mauritiana, D.sechellia, D.yakuba, D.erecta or D.willistoni. Size variation mapping to the LTR and ULR in naturally occurring copia elements is likely generated by duplication and is of functional significance.