Molecular evolution of mariner-like elements in the genus Drosophila: the obscura species group

A phylogenic analysis of mariner-like elements (MLEs) of the obscura species group in the genus Drosophila was performed to elucidate the evolution of MLEs in closely related species. MLEs were identified mainly from genomes of species belonging to the affinis species subgroup. These MLEs showed higher degree of sequence similarity and more recent divergence time from related species in comparison with Adh genes. Based on these observations, the conclusion was made that a certain type of mariner element invaded an ancestral species of the affinis species subgroup by horizontal transfer and was subsequently inherited vertically.