Panthera pardus, the leopard, has a spot pattern unique to each individual, akin to human fingerprints. Its genome reveals adaptations that allow it to live in a wide variety of habitats. DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evac128, Publication date: August/17/2022 Authors: Judith Agel Gelis, Mattin Arana Lopetegi, Arnau Crehueras Getan, Leia Tomàs Puig
Genomic interest areas: Evolutionary interest
Atlantic puffin
Fratercula arctica, the atlantic puffin, is an iconic seabird species, important for tourism, and inherently valuable for the marine ecosystem. Its genome includes thousands of loci that help identify relevant conservation units for seabirds. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-02415-4 (July/29/2021) Authors: Aina Baldomà Fort, Javier Cordero Plaza, Maria Donés Guillamet, Julia Íñiguez Sanz
Prussian carp
The Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) has one of the most unusual genomes in the animal kingdom—some populations reproduce asexually through a process called gynogenesis, where the sperm from a male of another species is needed to trigger egg development, but the sperm’s DNA is not incorporated into the offspring. As a result, some individuals are…
Bactrian camel
Camelus bactrianus, the Bactrian camel, has two humps where they can store energy in the form of fat, allowing them to survive long periods without food or water. Its genome also reveals genes with resistance insulin functions. https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms2192 (November/13/2012) Authors: Júlia Bou Vallès, Laia Xin Mercadé Pelfort, Ivett Moro Rodríguez, Paula Valero Delgado
M. bovis
Mycobacterium bovis is the causative agent of tuberculosis in various animal species and in humans, leading to significant global economic losses in agriculture. Its genome, which is more than 99.95% identical to that of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, provides important insights into its evolution, host interaction, and pathobiology. 10.1073/pnas.1130426100 (Jun/3/2003). Authors: Isidora Ibarra Azúa, Estefany Gimena Medina…
Opium poppy
Papaver somniferum, the opium poppy, is a medicinal and ornamental plant known for producing pharmacologically important benzylisoquinoline alkaloids such as morphine and codeine. Its poppy seeds are used for culinary applications as breads and cakes. This is because the alkaloids are mainly concentrated in the latex of the immature capsule, while mature seeds contain negligible…
Whale shark
The whale shark, is the largest fish in the world. Its genome presents long neuron-related genes as some other long-lived organisms. 10.1186/s12864-017-3926-9 Author: Tomas González Dantas
Urinary blood fluke
Urinary schistosomiasis has afflicted humans for over 5,000 years. Ancient Egyptian papyri record “bloody urine” (parasite eggs were found in mummies dating to 1250–1000 BC) and in 1798 Napoleon’s soldiers dubbed Egypt “the land of menstruating men” due to widespread haematuria. 10.1038/ng.1065 Author: Oscar Gonzalo Figueredo
Great white shark
Carcharodon carcharias, the great white shark has a high capacity to heal wounds, a key factor in its lifespan of 73 years. Its genome reveals molecular adaptations and positive selection of key genes involved in wound healing. 10.1073/pnas.1819778116 Author: Oscar Santamaria
Whitespotted bambooshark
Chiloscyllium plagiosum, the whitespotted bambooshark, is a nocturnal reef-dwelling and small species (with a length of 24-37 inches). Its genome size is larger than a whale shark. Zhang Y, Gao H, Li H, Guo J, Ouyang B, Wang M, et al. (November 2020). “The White-Spotted Bamboo Shark Genome Reveals Chromosome Rearrangements and Fast-Evolving Immune Genes…