Haplotype-resolved reference genomes of the sea turtle clade unveil ultra-syntenic genomes with hotspots of divergence
Our work provides genomic resources for exploring genetic diversity, evolutionary adaptations, and demographic histories of sea turtles. We outline genomic regions with increased diversity, linked to immune response, sensory evolution, and adaptation to varying environments that have historically been subject to strong diversifying selection and likely will underpin sea turtles' responses to future environmental change. These reference genomes can assist conservation by providing insights into the demographic and evolutionary processes that sustain and threaten these iconic species.
Authors
- Conor Whelan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1359-930X)
- Scott D. Whiting (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3339-9559)
- Peter H. Dutton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6628-8962)
- Adam D. Kennedy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5391-9457)
- Erich D. Jarvis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8931-5049)
- Nivesh Jain (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8134-2904)
- Jennifer Balacco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7102-1632)
- Erina J. Young
- Tom Brown (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8293-4816)
- Gabriella A. Carvajal
- Blair P. Bentley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9606-6770)
- Oliver Berry (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7545-5083)
- Lisa M. Komoroske (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0676-7053)
- Camila J. Mazzoni (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6758-5427)
- Larissa Souza Arantes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1374-6701)
- Erin L. LaCasella (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7157-4173)
- Deana Edmunds
- Tatiana Tilley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9277-7743)
- Brian P O'Toole (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9098-1437)
- Diego De Panis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3679-9585)
- Patrick Traore
Institutions
- NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (US)
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (AU)
- Murdoch University (AU)
- Smith College (US)
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (US)
- New England Aquarium (US)
- NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Fisheries Science Center (US)
- Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research (DE)
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (AU)
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (DE)
- Florida Atlantic University (US)
- Rockefeller University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- GigaScience
- Published
- 2025-01-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1093/gigascience/giaf105
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 6.94
Funders
- National Science Foundation
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
- Freie Universität Berlin
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
- National Marine Fisheries Service