A groundbreaking discovery has emerged from the world of botany, where researchers from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the Institut Botànic de Barcelona (IBB-CSIC) in Spain have unveiled a remarkable find: the Tmesipteris oblanceolata, a tiny fern species hailing from New Caledonia, possesses the largest genome of any known living organism on Earth.
Published in the journal iScience, the study reveals that the genome of T. oblanceolata stretches over an astonishing 100 meters when unraveled – surpassing the iconic Big Ben tower in London. This fern, tucked away in the remote reaches of New Caledonia, boasts over 50 times more DNA than humans, effectively dethroning the Japanese flowering plant Paris japonica, which previously held the record since 2010. Notably, T. oblanceolata has secured three Guinness World Records titles: Largest plant genome, Largest Genome, and Largest fern genome.
The journey to this discovery began in 2023 when Dr. Jaume Pellicer and Dr. Oriane Hidalgo embarked on a scientific expedition to New Caledonia to collect samples of Tmesipteris. Through meticulous analysis involving staining thousands of cells’ nuclei with a dye, the researchers determined the genome size of T. oblanceolata to be a staggering 160.45 gigabase pairs (Gbp), outstripping P. japonica by seven percent.
T. oblanceolata, a rare species of fern, thrives in the lush landscapes of New Caledonia, an archipelago located in the Southwest Pacific. Its discovery sheds light on the genetic diversity of the Tmesipteris genus, which comprises around 15 species distributed across various Pacific Islands and Oceania.
The significance of this finding extends beyond botanical curiosity. With over 20,000 eukaryotic organisms’ genome sizes estimated globally, the diversity in genome sizes underscores the intricate relationship between genetics and organismal traits. While T. oblanceolata’s colossal genome sets a new benchmark, it also prompts questions about the biological implications of genome size on plant physiology, adaptation, and evolution.
Dr. Pellicer, a leading researcher in evolutionary biology, remarks on the profound implications of this discovery, highlighting the unanticipated journey into the complexities of plant genomes. The revelation challenges preconceived notions about the limits of biological diversity and underscores the need for further exploration in understanding plant genomes’ intricacies.
Dr. Ilia Leitch, Senior Research Leader at RBG Kew, emphasizes the broader implications of this discovery for biodiversity conservation and scientific inquiry. She underscores the importance of recognizing the intrinsic value of plants in the context of global biodiversity.
Adam Millward, Managing Editor of Guinness World Records, reflects on the humbling nature of this discovery, highlighting the inherent mysteries within the plant kingdom. The unassuming T. oblanceolata serves as a poignant reminder that record-breaking achievements often lie beneath inconspicuous exteriors.
In conclusion, the revelation of T. oblanceolata’s colossal genome opens new avenues for exploration in plant genetics and evolutionary biology, challenging our understanding of the biological limits and the hidden wonders of the natural world.
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