ON
← Back to feed
Plant DNA harbors virus 'fossils' that reflect 300 million years of evolution
United Kingdom🔬 Scienceyesterday

Plant DNA harbors virus 'fossils' that reflect 300 million years of evolution

A study led by researchers from INRAE and CIRAD explored the history of ancient viruses by analyzing plant genomes for molecular remnants called endogenous viral elements. These genetic fragments, inherited over millions of years, provide insights into the evolutionary relationships between viruses and their plant hosts. Focusing on the Caulimoviridae virus family, the team examined 93 plant species across various lineages and identified over 47,000 viral elements, revealing 35 previously unknown taxonomic groups. The findings suggest that these viruses have co-evolved with vascular plants for hundreds of millions of years, though their relationship has involved host switching and extinction events linked to major geological changes like the Permian and Cretaceous mass extinctions. This research highlights the importance of plant genomes as archives of viral evolution.

Go to the primary sources (2)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

1 reports

Phys.org logoPhys.orgIndependentCenteryesterday
Plant DNA harbors virus 'fossils' that reflect 300 million years of evolution

A study led by researchers from INRAE and CIRAD explored the history of ancient viruses by analyzing plant genomes for molecular remnants called endogenous viral elements. These genetic fragments, inherited over millions of years, provide insights into the evolutionary relationships between viruses and their plant hosts. Focusing on the Caulimoviridae virus family, the team examined 93 plant species across various lineages and identified over 47,000 viral elements, revealing 35 previously unknown taxonomic groups. The findings suggest that these viruses have co-evolved with vascular plants for hundreds of millions of years, though their relationship has involved host switching and extinction events linked to major geological changes like the Permian and Cretaceous mass extinctions. This research highlights the importance of plant genomes as archives of viral evolution.

Bias read (Center): The article discusses scientific research on viral evolution through plant genomes. It presents findings objectively, focusing on methodology, results, and implications without taking a stance or emphasizing any particular ideological perspective. There is no indication of framing that favors one政治派

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €5/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories