High copy numbers of multiple transposable element families in an Australian population of Drosophila simulans.

Sudden mobilization of transposable elements in Drosophila is a well-reported phenomenon but one that usually affects no more than a few elements (one to four). We report here the existence of a D. simulans natural population (Canberra) from Australia, which had high copy numbers for various transposable elements (transposons, LTR retrotransposons and non-LTR retrotransposons). The impact of transposable elements on the host genome and populations is discussed.