TRANSPOSON SIGNATURES - SPECIES-SPECIFIC MOLECULAR MARKERS THAT UTILIZE A CLASS OF MULTIPLE-COPY NUCLEAR-DNA

Transposable elements are mobile sequences found in nuclear genomes an d can potentially serve as molecular markers in various phylogenetic a nd population genetic investigations. A PCR-based method that utilizes restriction site variation of element copies within a genome is devel oped. These patterns of site variation, referred to as transposon sign atures, are useful in differentiating between closely related groups. Signature data using the magellan retrotransposon, for example, is use ful in examining relationships within the genus Zea and Tripsacum. Thi s method allows transposable elements, or even other multiple-copy nuc lear DNA sequences, to be generally utilized as molecular markers in d iscriminating between other closely related species and subspecies.