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Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Ultra-long Read Sequencing for Whole Genomic DNA Analysis

Ultra-long Read Sequencing for Whole Genomic DNA Analysis

Published on: March 15, 2019

Is There an Upper Limit to Genome Size?

Oriane Hidalgo¹, Jaume Pellicer¹, Maarten Christenhusz²

¹Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond TW9 3DS, UK.

Trends in Plant Science

|May 17, 2017

Summary

The fern Tmesipteris obliqua has a massive 147.3 Gb genome, nearing the eukaryotic genome size limit. This discovery suggests biological constraints may prevent further genome expansion in plants and animals.

Keywords:

C value genomic gigantism polyploid repetitive DNA

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Area of Science:

Genomics
Evolutionary Biology
Botany

Background:

The human genome is approximately 3 Gb.
Giant genomes have been discovered in various plant and animal species, including Paris japonica (148.8 Gb) and Protopterus aethiopicus (130 Gb).
The fern Tmesipteris obliqua possesses a genome of 147.3 Gb, significantly larger than the human genome.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the implications of the giant genome in Tmesipteris obliqua for understanding genome size limits.
To synthesize existing data on giant genomes in eukaryotes.
To propose explanations for the apparent upper limit of genome size.

Main Methods:

Comparative genomics analysis.
Literature review and synthesis of existing data on genome sizes.
Hypothesis generation based on evolutionary mechanisms.

Main Results:

The genome of Tmesipteris obliqua is 147.3 Gb, placing it among the largest known eukaryotic genomes.
The largest known genomes in plants and animals do not significantly exceed 150 Gb.
Independent evolutionary pathways have led to dramatic genome size increases in ferns, flowering plants, and lungfish.

Conclusions:

The biological limit for genome size expansion in eukaryotes may have been reached.
Several mechanisms contribute to genome size increase, but these appear to be constrained.
Ferns, flowering plants, and lungfish represent independent examples of extreme genome size evolution, approaching a potential biological ceiling.