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Is the Y chromosome of Drosophila an evolved supernumerary chromosome?
J H Hackstein1, R Hochstenbach, E Hauschteck-Jungen
1Department of Microbiology and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Science, Catholic University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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.