fig. 3.

Evolutionary implications of rRNA genes organization for Asgard archaea and the origin of the eukaryotic lineage. Possible relationships between Asgard archaea and the eukaryotic lineages based on linked/unlinked rRNA genes repartition are indicated. The four depicted scenarios are discussed in detail in the main text. The presence of either linked (blue dot) or unlinked (brown dot) rRNA genes are indicated. Undo in scenario 1 indicates relinkage of unlinked rRNA genes. Note that linked rRNA genes are found in Odinarchaea LCB_4, whereas unlinked rRNA genes, seem to be prevalent in Asgard archaea and were observed in Lokiarchaeota, Thorarchaeota, Heimdallarchaeota, Wukongarchaeota, Njodarchaeota. LAsgECA, last Asgard-eukaryotic common ancestor; LECA, last eukaryotic common ancestor.