plastome-evolution
Plastome evolution refers to the changes in plastid (chloroplast) genome structure and sequence across plant lineages over evolutionary time. Understanding how plant plastomes evolve is essential for plant systematics and phylogenetics, as plastid genomes provide reliable molecular markers for tracing evolutionary relationships among species. Additionally, studying plastome evolution reveals how plants adapt and diversify, making it fundamental to understanding plant biology and biodiversity.
PubMed · 2026-02-19
Fern chloroplasts contain mobile genes that behave like genetic parasites, moving around and replicating independently from the rest of the plant's genome. This discovery challenges assumptions about plant genetic stability and reveals a new mechanism for how plants acquire genes from their environment.
Study of 30 Anemiaceae fern species revealed MORFFOs with exceptionally high substitution rates—much faster than other plastid genes—indicating intense evolutionary activity
MORFFOs are mobile genetic elements with dynamic locations that replicate independently outside plastids, functioning as selfish genetic elements
Evidence of horizontal gene transfer and intracellular gene transfer mechanisms enabling fern plastomes to acquire and maintain these mobile genes
