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Is the Y chromosome of Drosophila an evolved supernumerary chromosome?
Author(s) -
Hackstein Johannes H. P.,
Hochstenbach Ron,
HauschteckJungen Elisabeth,
Beukeboom Leo W.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/bies.950180410
Subject(s) - biology , small supernumerary marker chromosome , b chromosome , genetics , drosophila (subgenus) , chromosome , supernumerary , evolutionary biology , autosome , karyotype , gene , anatomy
Abstract The Y chromosomes of most Drosophila species are necessary for male fertility but they are not involved in sex determination. They have many puzzling properties that resemble the effects caused by B chromosomes. Classical genetic and molecular studies reveal substantial affinities between Y and B chromosomes and suggest that the Y chromosomes of Drosophila are not degenerated homologues of the X chromosomes, but rather that their Y chromosomes evolved as specialized supernumeraries similar to classical B chromosomes.