In the Baltic Sea, scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery of a cloned tree stump of eelgrass (Zostera marina) estimated to be over 1,400 years old. This remarkable finding was possible due to an international research team from Kiel, London, Oldenburg, and Davis, California who used a new genetic clock to accurately determine the age of the cloned tree.
The team’s findings were published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, highlighting the potential of the genetic clock for use with various species such as corals, algae, and land plants. Dr. Thorsten Reusch, professor of marine ecology at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Center Ocean Research in Kiel explained that cloning or vegetative reproduction is a common method used by various kingdoms to produce genetically similar saplings.
Their research revealed that somatic mutations accumulate in young cloned plants similar to the process of cancer. To further explore this phenomenon, experts led by Professor Reusch, Dr. Benjamin Werner from Queen’s University London and Professor Iliana Baums from the Helmholz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity in Oldenburg developed a molecular clock to accurately determine the age of cloned trees.
By applying this new clock to a global dataset of eelgrass Zostera marina, they discovered several cloned trees in Northern Europe that were hundreds of years old. The oldest cloned tree found in the Baltic Sea was determined to be 1402 years old, surpassing even Greenland sharks and Quahog sea clams’ ages. This discovery highlights the potential of genetic clock as an accurate tool for calculating age of cloned plants providing valuable insights into their longevity and resilience in challenging environments.
Overall, this groundbreaking discovery opens up exciting new avenues for understanding plant evolution and their ability to survive over long periods with minimal change or adaptation.
In summary: A recent study conducted by an international research team has discovered a 1402-year-old eelgrass (Zostera marina) stump found in the Baltic Sea through genetic clock technology which could help us understand more about plant evolution’s ability to survive over long periods with minimal change or adaptation
