A new study found evidence of a self-splicing intron in the archaea prey species of the anaerobic bacterium Candidatus Velamenicoccus archaeovorus. But a new study published in the journal found evidence of one of these kinds of “jumping genes” crossing between predator-prey species. Using nuc­leic acid probes, the team captured microscopic images that detailed the presence of introns in the prey species as well. This allowed the intron to persist despite the cell being dead, as dead cells typically don’t retain these acids. Scientists theorize that jumping genes, including introns, might play a role in evolution—even speeding up the process entirely.