Lepidosiren paradoxa, the South American lungfish, is an air-breathing freshwater species with eel-like fins and remarkable estivation abilities. Its genome is the largest animal genome sequenced, shaped by massive transposable-element expansion and providing key insights into tetrapod evolution. Information about the article: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07830-1, 08/14/2024 Authors: Ariadna Abad García, Aina Ferré Valero, Maria García Lara, Eider…
Institution: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Apple
Malus domestica, the apple, is one of the most widely grown fruits on Earth. Its genome reveals a rich collection of disease-resistance genes and effective pathways for fruit development and flavor production, both product of human selection and hybridization with wild apple species. DOI: 10.1038/ng.654 (August/29/2010) Authors: Maria Batlles Santiago, Erea Bocija Veiga, Selene Calderón…
Hepatitis B virus
The hepatitis B virus is a DNA virus distinguished by its partially double-stranded genome and its use of reverse transcriptase. Highly resilient and very contagious, it targets hepatocytes and can cause acute infections or even lifelong chronic disease, reamaining as a major cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. DOI: 10.1038/281646a0 (October/25/1979) Authors: E. Oñate, P….
Anemone sea spider
Pycnogonum litorale, the anemone sea spider, is a small marine pycnogonid (sister group to all other chelicerates) with a vestigial opisthosoma (abdomen) and a proboscis. Its genome reveals information about the evolution of the body plan and genomic structure of chelicerates. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-025-02276-x — July/02/2025 Authors: Alba Burgos Renedo, Pablo Caldera Morante, Marc Hormigo Zambrano, Jose…
Egyptian spiny mouse
Acomys cahirinus, known as Egyptian spiny mouse, is remarkable for its ability to heal tissues, regenerate organs and restore skeletal muscle. In addition, it is one of the few rodent species that menstruates, a highly unusual trait in this group. DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad177 Publication date: 08/08/2023 Authors: Ainhoa Llambies Roig, Naila Lorente Gil, Noelia Bellón izquierdo,…
Black-footed cat
The black-footed cat is the tiniest feline in Africa, and one of the smallest in the world, measuring about 40 cm, with an impressive body weight of 1.9 kg. Unlike most felines, they’re poor climbers, instead they dig in the sand to take refuge in burrows. The black-footed cat is endemic to the arid grasslands…
Komodo dragon
Varanus komodoensis, the Komodo dragon, is the largest living lizard, capable of taking down prey much larger than itself. Its genome reveals adaptations for a powerful cardiovascular system, heightened metabolism, and a robust immune response, resembling traits typically seen in mammals. DOI: 10.1038/s41559-019-0945-8 Author: Asier Otal
Capybara
Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, the capybara, is the largest living rodent and is highly social, often found in groups near water bodies in South America. Its genome reveals adaptations to a semi-aquatic lifestyle and unique mechanisms of cancer resistance despite its large body size. DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa157 Author: Amelie
Giant manta
The Mobula birostris is the largest species of ray in the world, reaching up to 7 meters wide—yet it feeds on tiny plankton filtered through its gills! These gentle giants can even leap out of the water, a behavior scientists still don’t fully understand. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03451-0 Author: Anna Landabaso
Y. lipolytica
Yarrowia lipolytica is a dimorphic yeast. This means we can find it in its yeast form or a filamentous form. It’s a model organism for its genus and it has a very high resilience to extreme environmental conditions. DOI: 10.1038/nature02579 (Jul 01, 2004) Author: Rita Chacón Sahún