Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons

Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons

Genome comparison is one of the excellent ways to interpret the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The basic principle of genome comparison is that if two species share a common feature, it is likely encoded by the DNA sequence conserved between both species. The advent of genome sequencing technologies in the late 20th century enabled scientists to understand the concept of conservation of domains between species and helped them to deduce evolutionary relationships across diverse...

Synteny and Evolution

Synteny and Evolution

John H. Renwick first coined the term “synteny” in 1971, which refers to the genes present on the same chromosomes, even if they are not genetically linked. The species with common ancestry tend to show conserved syntenic regions. Therefore, the concept of synteny is nowadays used to describe the evolutionary relationship between species.
Around 80 million years ago, the human and mice lineages diverged from the common ancestor. During the course of evolution, the ancestral chromosome underwent...

Convergent Evolution

Convergent Evolution

Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.The structures that arise from convergent evolution are called analogous structures. They are similar in function even if they are dissimilar in structure. Further, structures can be analogous while also...

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A phylogenomic dive into giant genomes: unravelling the evolutionary history of Tmesipteris (Psilotales).

Molecular phylogenetics and evolution·2026

Same author

The genome sequence of <i>Jasione montana</i> L., 1753 (Asterales: Campanulaceae).

Wellcome open research·2026

Same author

The genome sequence of <i>Astragalus glycyphyllos</i> L., 1753 (Fabales: Fabaceae).

Wellcome open research·2026

Same author

The genome sequence of <i>Quercus cerris</i> L., 1753 (Fagales: Fagaceae).

Wellcome open research·2026

Same author

Trait evolution drives speciation through complex interactions between genome size, adaptation and allometry.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026

Same author

Genomic and ecological drivers of parallel arid adaptation in tree grapes (Vitaceae).

Nature communications·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Laser-assisted Microdissection (LAM) as a Tool for Transcriptional Profiling of Individual Cell Types

Laser-assisted Microdissection (LAM) as a Tool for Transcriptional Profiling of Individual Cell Types

Published on: May 10, 2016

Contrasting evolutionary dynamics between angiosperm and mammalian genomes.

Eduard Kejnovsky¹, Ilia J Leitch, Andrew R Leitch

¹Institute of Biophysics, The Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Kralovopolska 135, 612 65 Brno, Czech Republic.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

|August 12, 2009

Summary

Angiosperm genomes are more diverse and dynamic than mammalian genomes due to mechanisms like polyploidy and recombination. These genomic differences reflect distinct life strategies and evolutionary paths in plants versus animals.

More Related Videos

Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin

Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin

Published on: August 14, 2018

Comprehensive Workflow for the Genome-wide Identification and Expression Meta-analysis of the ATL E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Gene Family in Grapevine

Comprehensive Workflow for the Genome-wide Identification and Expression Meta-analysis of the ATL E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Gene Family in Grapevine

Published on: December 22, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Laser-assisted Microdissection (LAM) as a Tool for Transcriptional Profiling of Individual Cell Types

Laser-assisted Microdissection (LAM) as a Tool for Transcriptional Profiling of Individual Cell Types

Published on: May 10, 2016

Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin

Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin

Published on: August 14, 2018

Comprehensive Workflow for the Genome-wide Identification and Expression Meta-analysis of the ATL E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Gene Family in Grapevine

Comprehensive Workflow for the Genome-wide Identification and Expression Meta-analysis of the ATL E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Gene Family in Grapevine

Published on: December 22, 2017

Area of Science:

Comparative genomics
Eukaryotic genome evolution

Background:

Genomic data availability is highest for angiosperms and mammals.
Substantial genomic differences exist between major eukaryotic lineages.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore and compare the genomic differences between angiosperms and mammals.
To identify the underlying mechanisms driving these genomic disparities.

Main Methods:

Comparative analysis of genomic data from angiosperms and mammals.
Identification and evaluation of key evolutionary mechanisms (polyploidy, recombination, retrotransposition, genome silencing).

Main Results:

Angiosperm genomes exhibit less compartmentalization and greater diversity compared to mammalian genomes.
Mammalian genomes are characterized by higher stability at sequence and chromosome levels.
Four primary mechanisms (polyploidy, recombination, retrotransposition, genome silencing) contribute to genomic differences.

Conclusions:

Angiosperm genomes are evolutionarily more dynamic and labile than mammalian genomes.
Fundamental differences in life strategies and developmental feedback influence genome dynamics and evolutionary trajectories.
Genomic evolution varies significantly across major eukaryotic lineages.