Canis lupus baileyi, the Mexican gray wolf, is the smallest subspecies of the gray wolf, known for its mottled coat, social pack behavior, and role as a top predator in its ecosystem. Its genome reveals low genetic diversity due to a severe population bottleneck, but also contains unique adaptations that reflect its historical range and…
Sequencing generation: 3
Java mouse-deer
Tragulus javanicus, the Java mouse-deer, is one of the smallest hoofed mammals, standing only about 20 cm tall. It is shy and nocturnal, inhabiting dense forests of Java. Its genome sheds light on ruminant evolution and the genetic basis of miniaturization in ungulates. DOI: 10.1126/science.aav6202 Author: Naira Mahajan (Institut Angeleta Ferrer i Sensat)
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
Aldabra giant tortoise
Aldabrachelys gigantea, the Aldabra giant tortoise, is one of the longest-lived terrestrial vertebrates, with lifespans over 150 years. It can survive months without food or water by storing nutrients and slowing its metabolism. Its genome offers insights into longevity, gigantism, and resilience in extreme conditions. DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giac090 Author: Abril Navarro (Institut Pompeu Fabra)
Bengal Tiger
There are some tigers who do not have the characteristic orange skin. Instead, they have white skin due to a mutation in the SLC45A2 gene. This mutation reduces the production of pheomelanin (the yellow or orange pigment in their fur) but retains some eumelanin (the black pigment), which forms their distinctive dark stripes. 10.1093/gigascience/giac112 (12/28/2022)…
Crab-eating macaque
Macaca fascicularis, the crab-eating macaque, has the ability to use tools, such as stones, to open oysters and crabs—hence its name. https://doi.org/10.1186/gb-2012-13-7-r58. Oct/16/2011 Authors: Alison Cegarra Saravia, Beatriz María Gallardo Aguilar, Andrés Hervás Gómez
Leopard
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
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…
Water buffalo
Bubalus bubalis, the water buffalo, is a mammal that can swim up to 50 km/h and hold its breath for 5 minutes. Its genome sequencing aids in understanding buffalo genetics, livestock maintainance and milk production. https://doi.org/10.1101/618785 (January/02/2020) Authors: Adrià Casas Colom, Sergi Garcia Fontanet, Paula Lluma Mañas, Neosbel Jordan Ortiz Sandoval, Jan Pericas Morales
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…