Mitochondrial DNA patterns are similar in gametosomatic and somatic hybrids of two species

The segregation and recombination patterns of mitochondrial genome in the somatic hybrids of and were studied by RFLP analysis using four heterologous mitochondrial DNA probes, namely cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII), 26s rDNA and 5s-18s rDNA. These RFLP patterns were compared with those of the gametosomatic hybrids of these two species. A preponderance of type patterns was observed in the somatic hybrids. One of the somatic hybrids had type pattern with COI probe, novel pattern with COII, and 26s rDNA probe and type pattern with 5s-18s rDNA probe. These patterns are identical to those of some of the gametosomatic hybrids and could only be due to the recombination of mitochondrial genomes of the two parents. The extent and the nature of recombination of mitochondrial genomes is similar in gametosomatic and somatic hybrids.