• Researchers have discovered the world's largest known genome in a tiny fern called Ophioglossum stipes. The genome of this fern is nearly 150 times larger than the human genome, making it the largest genome ever discovered in any organism.

• The massive size of the fern's genome is attributed to the accumulation of a specific type of repetitive DNA sequence called long terminal repeats (LTRs). These LTRs have been steadily accumulating in the fern's genome over millions of years, leading to its unprecedented size.

• The discovery of this record-breaking genome has important implications for our understanding of genome evolution and the mechanisms that drive the expansion of genetic material in plants. It also highlights the remarkable diversity of life on our planet, even in small and often overlooked organisms like the tiny Ophioglossum stipes fern.