De novo draft assembly of the Botrylloides leachii genome provides further insight into tunicate evolution.

ABSTRACT: Tunicates are marine invertebrates that compose the closest phylogenetic group to the vertebrates. These chordates present a particularly diverse range of regenerative abilities and life-history strategies. Consequently, tunicates provide an extraordinary perspective into the emergence and diversity of these traits. Here we describe the genome sequencing, annotation and analysis of the Stolidobranchian Botrylloides leachii. We have produced a high-quality 159 Mb assembly, 82% of the predicted 194 Mb genome. Analysing genome size, gene number, repetitive elements, orthologs clustering and gene ontology terms show that B. leachii has a genomic architecture similar to that of most solitary tunicates, while other recently sequenced colonial ascidians have undergone genome expansion. In additio

SUBMITTER: Blanchoud S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5882950 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature