TMESIPTERIS OBLANCEOLATA: THE WORLD’S LARGEST KNOWN GENOME

• The genome of a fern species called Tmesipteris oblanceolata is the largest genome known so far.

Features

• It has 160 billion base pairs (units of building DNA), which is 50 times more than the human genome.
• In comparison, the human genome contains only 3.2 billion base pairs.
• It is an ancient fern growing in New Zealand and the south-western region of the Pacific Ocean.
• It belongs to the primitive (ancient) group of plants, which evolved even before the dinosaurs came to Earth.

Scientific importance

• Largest known genome – The genome of Tmesipteris oblanceolata is the largest among all the plants and organisms discovered so far.
• Genome size and evolution – According to scientists, the reason for such a large genome may be extra copies of DNA (Gene Duplication) and repetitive sequences.
• Reference plant – This plant will help scientists understand how the genome size of plants increased over millions of years.

Reason for the large size of the plant genome

• Gene duplication – Over time, many copies of DNA were made, increasing its size.
• Transposable elements (Jumping Genes) – These are small parts of DNA that keep moving around in the genome and sometimes increase the size of the entire genome.
• Natural selection and evolution – This fern has evolved very slowly, leading to such a large increase in the size of its genome.

Role in biodiversity and ecology

• This fern grows in forests, moist mountain areas and rainforests.
• Its study will help in understanding how environmental conditions affected the DNA of plants.
• The study of the genomic structure of this plant will help in understanding the evolution, adaptation and biodiversity of other plants.

Potential Scientific Uses

• DNA sequencing and genetic research – Its study will help in understanding the complexities of genetic structure and genome evolution.
• Ecological studies – This plant can help in understanding the processes that affect the adaptation of plants and their evolution.
• Conservation and biodiversity conservation – This study can play an important role in the conservation of plants with huge genomes.