The distribution of P elements in D. melanogaster along the coast of China studied by DNA hybridization method.

The distribution of the P-M system in four local Drosophila melanogaster populations obtained in southern China has been examined by mating tests. There was no P strain. A HindIII fragment of the P element has been cloned, named as pPH 0.86, and used as probe in this study. The distribution of the P element itself in thirteen local D. melanogaster populations along the eastern coast of China has been studied by the method of DNA hybridization. It is found that all the populations obtained from the north of Shanghai carry P elements but few populations from the south of Shanghai carry P elements. In comparison with the mating test, the method of DNA hybridization is more direct and reliable. The origin and trends of distribution of P elements in China are discussed in this paper.