We are well aware that biological diversity plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and functionality of our natural world. The more diverse an ecosystem, the better we expect it to perform. Both the genetic and phenotypic variation within species are essential components contributing to the overall diversity among species.
Within the DNA sequence, certain fragments known as transposable elements, or “jumping genes,” have the capacity to generate phenotypic variability within a species. In our research, we sought to investigate whether these “jumping genes” cause sufficient variation in traits to significantly impact the functioning of populations and, consequently, ecosystems. To explore this, we generated lines of Arabidopsis thaliana, referred to as “TE lines,” by inducing the mobility of the ONSEN transposon through heat stress and specific drugs.
Our findings revealed that Arabidopsis variants with varying ONSEN transposon numbers and locations in the DNA exhibited considerable diversity in their phenotypes. Notably, as more TE lines were introduced into the population, the diversity of crucial traits increased, leading to more productive populations with greater biomass. Additionally, these populations demonstrated a heightened ability to compete successfully.
Our research sheds light on the profound influence of transposable elements on traits, emphasizing their role in shaping both individual characteristics and the collective dynamics of ecosystems.