Non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons are highly abundant elements 
that are present in chromosomes throughout the eukaryotic domain of life. The 
long interspersed nuclear element (LINE-1) (L1) clade of non-LTR 
retrotransposons has been particularly successful in mammals, accounting for 
30-40% of human genome sequence. The current model of LINE retrotransposition, 
target-primed reverse transcription, culminates in a chromosomally integrated 
end product. Using a budding yeast model of non-LTR retrotransposition, we show 
that in addition to producing these 'classical', chromosomally integrated 
products, a fungal L1 clade member (Zorro3) can generate abundant, RNA-derived 
episomal products. Genetic evidence suggests that these products are likely to 
be formed via a variation of target-primed reverse transcription. These episomal 
products are a previously unseen alternative fate of LINE retrotransposition, 
and may represent an unexpected source for de novo retrotransposition.