Projects per year
Abstract
Genomic organisation of extinct lineages can be inferred from extant chromosome-level genome assemblies. Here, we apply bioinformatic and molecular cytogenetic approaches to determine the genomic structure of the diapsid common ancestor. We then infer the events that likely occurred along this lineage from theropod dinosaurs through to modern birds. Our results suggest that most elements of a typical ‘avian-like’ karyotype (40 chromosome pairs, including 30 microchromosomes) were in place before the divergence of turtles from birds ~255 mya. This genome organisation therefore predates the emergence of early dinosaurs and pterosaurs and the evolution of flight. Remaining largely unchanged interchromosomally through the dinosaur–theropod route that led to modern birds, intrachromosomal changes nonetheless reveal evolutionary breakpoint regions enriched for genes with ontology terms related to chromatin organisation and transcription. This genomic structure therefore appears highly stable yet contributes to a large degree of phenotypic diversity, as well as underpinning adaptive responses to major environmental disruptions via intrachromosomal repatterning
Original language | English |
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Article number | 1883 |
Journal | Nature Communications |
Volume | 9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 21 May 2018 |
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Dive into the research topics of 'Reconstruction of the diapsid ancestral genome permits chromosome evolution tracing in avian and non-avian dinosaurs'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 2 Finished
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Assembling the genome organisation in birds: beyond "catalogues of genes"
Larkin, D. M. (PI)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
16 May 2013 → 15 May 2016
Project: Externally funded research
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Using Reference -assisted chromosome assemblies to study chromosome structures and evolution in vertebrates
Larkin, D. M. (PI)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
06 Sept 2012 → 05 Sept 2015
Project: Externally funded research