Transposable Elements and Sex Chromosome Evolution in Eulimnadia texana

These findings support theoretical predictions that retrotransposons accumulate in non-recombining regions, while DNA transposons are associated with recombining chromosomes. The W chromosome of E. texana shows early signs of differentiation, with localized retrotransposon buildup, while the Z remains autosome-like. This study highlights E. texana as a valuable model for understanding the genomic mechanisms of early sex chromosome evolution.