The 5S ribosomal genes in the Drosophila melanogaster species subgroup. Nucleotide sequence of a 5S unit from Drosophila simulans and Drosophila teissieri

genes of the eight species of the D ^ melanoqaster subgroup have been mapped. The spacers, in contrast with coding regions, differ markedly between most species. One 5S gene unit has been sequenced for both D. simulans and D ^ teissieri. The mature 5S RNA region in these two species is identical to the corresponding region of D- _ melanoqaster. Only 5 nucleotide variations occur between the D; _ melanoqaster and D ^ simulans 5S gene spacers. The spacer in D ^ teissieri is very different. Only two segments, located one at each side of the coding region, are clearly homologous to corresponding sequences of D ^ melanoqaster and D;. simulans