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Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.

Diversity of Protists I

Diversity of Protists I

Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...

Comparing Mitochondrial, Chloroplast, and Prokaryotic Genomes

Comparing Mitochondrial, Chloroplast, and Prokaryotic Genomes

The present-day mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes have retained some of the characteristics of their ancestral prokaryotes and also have acquired new attributes during their evolution within eukaryotic cells. Like prokaryotic genomes, mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes neither bind with histone-like proteins nor show complex packaging into chromosome-like structures, as observed in eukaryotes. Unlike mitotic cell divisions observed in eukaryotic cells, mitochondria and chloroplasts...

Deep Sea Microbial Ecology

Deep Sea Microbial Ecology

The deep ocean and its underlying sediments represent vast, largely unexplored microbial habitats that extend far beyond the sunlit photic zone. The photic (euphotic) zone typically spans the upper ~100–200 meters of pelagic waters in the open ocean, but its depth varies geographically and seasonally, where sufficient light supports photosynthetic life. Below this lies the deep sea, spanning roughly 1000–6000 meters (bathypelagic to abyssal zones), with deeper hadal trenches extending beyond...

Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes

Genomic DNA in Eukaryotes

Eukaryotes have large genomes compared to prokaryotes. To fit their genomes into a cell, eukaryotic DNA is packaged extraordinarily tightly inside the nucleus. To achieve this, DNA is tightly wound around proteins called histones, which are packaged into nucleosomes that are joined by linker DNA and coil into chromatin fibers. Additional fibrous proteins further compact the chromatin, which is recognizable as chromosomes during certain phases of cell division.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

A Whole Mount In Situ Hybridization Method for the Gastropod Mollusc Lymnaea stagnalis

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Published on: March 15, 2016

Large genomes among caridean shrimp.

David J Rees¹, Claude Belzile, Hélène Glémet

¹Département de Biologie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Canada. david_rees@mac.com

|March 22, 2008

Summary

Arctic crustaceans, including caridean shrimp, possess exceptionally large genomes. This study reveals significant genome size variation, with Sclerocrangon ferox having the largest decapod genome recorded.

Area of Science:

Marine Biology
Genomics
Crustacean Biology

Background:

Recent studies identified unusually large genomes in Arctic amphipods.
Crustacean genome sizes exhibit wide variation, but data from Arctic species remain limited.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate genome sizes in seven species of caridean shrimp from the Canadian Arctic and Gulf of St. Lawrence.
To expand the understanding of genome size diversity within Arctic crustaceans.

Main Methods:

Genome size estimation using flow cytometry.
Measurement of haploid C-values for selected caridean shrimp species.

Main Results:

Haploid C-values ranged from 8.53 pg (Pandalus montagui) to 40.89 pg (Sclerocrangon ferox).

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Using RNA-mediated Interference Feeding Strategy to Screen for Genes Involved in Body Size Regulation in the Nematode C. elegans

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Last Updated: Jul 6, 2026

A Whole Mount In Situ Hybridization Method for the Gastropod Mollusc Lymnaea stagnalis

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Published on: March 15, 2016

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Published on: February 13, 2013

The genome size of Sclerocrangon ferox is the largest decapod genome documented to date.

A 38-fold variation in genome size was observed within the studied decapod species.

Conclusions:

Large genome sizes appear common among Arctic crustaceans.
Further comparative genomic studies are essential to understand the evolutionary implications of large genomes in this region.