Cover image

In this issue, the discovery of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) within the complete genomes of Atabeyarchaea, Asgard archaea—organisms that share a common ancestor with eukaryotes—provides new insights into their role in genome evolution. MGEs are depicted as circular forms representing chromosomes and MGEs of Atabeyarchaea, symbolizing the dynamic interactions between host genomes and mobile elements. At the center, a stylized figure inspired by Atabey, the Taíno goddess of soil, connects the name of this new archaeal group to Puerto Rican indigenous culture. Surrounding the figure are abstract petroglyphs of Yúcahu, Guacar, Opia, and Cemí, which represent the mobile elements identified in this study. This digital artwork merges scientific concepts with cultural heritage, reflecting both the landscape of genomic research and the importance of diverse perspectives in scientific naming conventions. (Artwork by Luis E. Valentin-Alvarado, with symbols by Sammy Fontánez [from Taíno project], created using RunWay and pIStar. [For details, see Valentin-Alvarado et al., pp. 1595–1609.])