A small fern found on a remote Pacific island has been declared the Guinness World Record holder for having the largest genome of any known organism on Earth. The New Caledonian fern, Tmesipteris oblanceolata, has a genome with over 50 times more DNA than humans.

Scientists recently conducted a study on this unassuming fern and discovered that the DNA packed into the nucleus of its cells would stretch out to a staggering 350 feet when unraveled. This measurement is taller than iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and the tower housing Big Ben in London.

The genome of the New Caledonian fern, weighing an impressive 160 gigabase pairs (Gbp), surpasses the previous record holder, the Japanese flowering plant Paris japonica, by 7%. In comparison, the human genome is a mere 3.1 Gbp, making the fern's genome over 50 times larger.

Researchers, led by Ilia Leitch from the UK's Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, expressed their surprise at the discovery. Leitch stated that the team believed they had already reached the limit of biological size in genomes and that finding something larger was unexpected. She added, "We're really pushing at the extremes of biology."

The New Caledonian fern, which only reaches a height of five to ten centimeters, is exclusively found in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia. The fern's impressive genome led to it being awarded the coveted "largest genome title" by Guinness World Records.

Adam Millward, the managing editor of Guinness World Records, highlighted the significant difference between appearances and record-holding capabilities in organisms. He stated, "To think this innocuous-looking fern boasts 50 times more DNA than humans is a humbling reminder that there's still so much about the plant kingdom we don't know."

The fern's colossal genome raises questions about its functionality and survival. With such an immense amount of DNA, scientists admit they are still unsure of the purpose behind most of it. Some have referred to it as "junk DNA," although researcher Ilia Leitch believes this may be due to our own ignorance, speculating that the DNA might have undiscovered functions.

The size of an organism's genome influences various factors, such as cell size and reproductive abilities. For plants, having a large genome can lead to slower growth and limited adaptability to changing environmental conditions caused by human activities such as climate change and land use alterations.

While the New Caledonian fern's genome is a groundbreaking find, scientists estimate that there are still many genomes yet to be explored. With approximately 20,000 organisms' genome sizes estimated so far, this represents only a small fraction of life on Earth.

Jonathan Wendel, a botanist at Iowa State University, expressed astonishment at the magnitude of the fern's genome. He highlighted the mystery surrounding the variations in genome size and the evolutionary implications of these phenomena.

The discovery of this record-breaking genome serves as a reminder that there is much more to learn about the intricate world of plant genetics and the potential influence of genome size on plant survival and adaptation. Further research will be crucial in unraveling the mysteries behind these immense genomes and their significance in the natural world.