Oldest Moss Takakia in Himalayas Growing for 390 Million Years Risks Extinction to Climate Breakdown

The oldest moss in the world, Takakia, which has been growing in the Himalayas for 390 million years, is in danger of going extinct because of climate change.

World's Oldest Moss Takakia

Dinosaurs trampled upon lush mossy plants until 165 million years ago. Then, 65 million years ago, as the Indian landmass started to crash into Asia, creating the Himalayas in the process, the plants rode up to the top of the world and adapted to their new freezing, bright environment. However, this genus of terrestrial plants, which is believed to be one of the oldest still alive on Earth, is currently in decline, which is possibly partly due to climate change.

All of the hoopla and excitement around dinosaurs, according to Ralf Reski, a University of Freiburg plant biotechnologist in Germany, is misplaced because these mosses have witnessed the rise and fall of the dinosaurs.

Two species of the around 400 million-year-old Takakia genus, T. lepidozioides and T. ceratophylla, are only seen growing together on the Tibetan plateau. In a few locations, notably Alaska and British Columbia, both species coexist without the other, however, it is unknown how they got there. In order to uncover the mysteries of this uncommon plant, Reski and his colleagues spent ten years trekking in areas of the Himalayas at elevations above 4,000 meters.

Rapidly Evolving Genes

Mosses, hornworts, and liverworts are all considered bryophytes. The identification of the bryophyte Takakia was unknown, however, the recently sequenced genome of T. lepidozioides confirms that it is a rare moss. A record number of rapidly changing genes belong to this species among plants. Reski and his associates used a Takakia spp. that was 165 million years old. Its evolution may be reconstructed using fossil and genomic data.

Takakia exhibits archaic plant characteristics on the outside, missing modern stomata and leaf characteristics. Internally, 121 fast-developing genes were found to help with survival under difficult circumstances. There are twice as many novel protein variations produced by these genes than by any other Tibetan moss.

Takakia is thought to have evolved when the elevation of its habitat rose as a result of the Himalayan uplift, subjecting it to greater UV radiation, colder temperatures, and snow. One adaptation helps cells resist UV rays by increasing the number of cell lipids. Since complete genome sequences are uncommon in moss study, bryologist Brent Mishler acknowledged her joy at discovering one.

Decline Due to 0.5 °C Temperature Rise

Takakia, a specialist moss, was identified by researchers to be disappearing faster than other natives on the Tibetan plateau, by 1.6% annually. The Red List categorizes it as globally vulnerable. These niche-adapted organisms are strongly impacted by climate change, which is associated with a nearly 0.5 °C annual temperature increase throughout 2010 and 2021.

Expert on bryophytes Lalita Calabria indicates that elements other than temperature, such as humidity and air quality, may be involved. Reski, the study's principal author, concurs and points out that the precise reason for Takakia's fall is unknown.

According to Mishler, the old genome serves as a kind of historical genetic manuscript, and it is advantageous to have documentation in case T. lepidozioides falls into extinction. The moss' evolutionary history may now be better understood with the help of the genome, which also serves as a record of the moss's rich genetic variety.

To further understand the Takakia's adaptations and create conservation strategies, Reski and his fellow researchers are hoping to work with Takakia populations beyond the Tibetan plateau in the future. According to Calabria, the fact that the species remains so rare and has little potential for spread helps to strengthen the case for its conservation.