The invention provides novel recombinant DNA molecules and constructs useful for modulating gene expression in plants, plant cells, seeds, and progeny plants. Plant regulatory elements comprising sequences from the Ubq10 gene of C. lacryma-jobi, as well as variants and fragments thereof having gene regulatory activity, are provided. The invention also provides transgenic plants, plant cells, plant parts, seeds, and progeny plants comprising the recombinant DNA molecules of the invention, along with methods of their use.