Stellaria mcclintockiae

May 31, 2024

GS Paper III Environment and Ecology

A new plant species, Stellaria mcclintockiae, was discovered in Kerala’s Nelliyampathy hills and named in honor of Nobel laureate Barbara McClintock. Barbara McClintock, won the 1983 Nobel Prize for her discovery of the ‘jumping genes.’

About Stellaria mcclintockiae

The new species belongs to the genus Stellaria (family Caryophyllaceae).

Features: Stellaria mcclintockiae differs from other species of this genus with respect to the features of its petals, pollen morphology, bracts, sepals, and seed architecture.
- Stellaria species are small herbs with simple opposite leaves. They bear small flowers typically with five sepals and five white petals, which are often deeply divided or absent, all separate.
Threat: Its habitat is highly susceptible to heavy grazing and trampling by elephants.

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Jumping Genes

Jumping genes, also called transposons, move randomly within the genome, inserting genetic material as they move, with the help of enzymes known as transposases.

Mechanism: They can insert into DNA without causing cuts and possess the chemical properties needed for direct integration without a DNA double-strand break.

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