Origin and evolution of the Drosophila Y chromosome

Three recent findings are making a deep impact on our understanding of the Drosophila Y. First, the sequencing of the Drosophila genome and the development of proper computational methods increased the number of known single-copy Y-linked genes from 1 to 16, and revealed a chromosome packed with genes acquired from the autosomes. Second, this, coupled with the finding that B-chromosomes are able to show very regular segregation from the X chromosome, reinforce the hypothesis that the Drosophila Y is a specialized B-chromosome, instead of a degenerated homologue of the X. Third and finally, Y chromosomes seem to have a strong effect on male fitness.