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Since retrovirus-like particles of gypsy (mdg4) are capable of interspecific transfer, other Drosophila melanogaster gypsy-related retrotransposons were tested for this property. As a donor and a recipient, D. melanogaster and D. virilis cultured cells were used. Recipient cell DNA was analyzed with probes directed to mdg1, mdg3, 17.6, 297, 412, or B104/roo. Transfer was demonstrated for mdg3, which lacks env. The possible mechanism of transfer is discussed.