Mobile DNA and the TE-Thrust hypothesis: supporting evidence from the primates

Table 1 Hypothesized major modes of transposable element (TE)-thrust

Mode	TE activity	TE homogeneity	TE population size	Evolutionary outcome	Type of TE thrust
1	Viable and intermittently active	Heterogeneous	Large	Stasis with punctuation events	Active
			Small	Stasis with punctuation events	Active
2	Viable and intermittently active	Homogeneous	Large	Gradualism with punctuation events	Active and passive
			Small	Stasis with punctuation events	Active
3	Non-viable/Inactive	Heterogeneous	Large	Stasis^a,b	Minimal^c
			Small	Stasis^a,b	Minimal^c
4	Non-viable/Inactive	Homogeneous	Large	Gradualism^a	Passive^c
			Small	Stasis^a,b	Minimal^c

^aUnless new infiltrations or reactivation of TEs occur.
^bFossil taxa are a possible outcome of prolonged stasis.
^cInactive/non-viable TEs can be exapted in a delayed fashion, which could cause some resumption of active TE-Thrust.

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