Abstract
Reptiles are the most morphologically and physiologically diverse tetrapods, and have undergone 300 million years of adaptive evolution. Within the reptilian tetrapods, geckos possess several interesting features, including the ability to regenerate autotomized tails and to climb on smooth surfaces. Here we sequence the genome of Gekko japonicus (Schlegel's Japanese Gecko) and investigate genetic elements related to its physiology. We obtain a draft G. japonicus genome sequence of 2.55 Gb and annotated 22,487 genes. Comparative genomic analysis reveals specific gene family expansions or reductions that are associated with the formation of adhesive setae, nocturnal vision and tail regeneration, as well as the diversification of olfactory sensation. The obtained genomic data provide robust genetic evidence of adaptive evolution in reptiles.
Highlights
Reptiles are the most morphologically and physiologically diverse tetrapods, and have undergone 300 million years of adaptive evolution
Our data reveals that the expansion of b-keratin gene family is essential to the clinging ability of G. japonicus, and the evolution of the opsin gene is correlated with its visual adaptation
The draft genome sequence of G. japonicus was 2.55 Gb in size, B50% larger than that of Anolis carolinensis, a lizard that belongs to the Iguania of Squamata, making it the largest sequenced genome to date among all reptiles with available genome data[11,12,13,14]
Summary
Reptiles are the most morphologically and physiologically diverse tetrapods, and have undergone 300 million years of adaptive evolution. The genomes of several reptilian species, including species from Squamata reptiles (Anolis carolinensis, Python molurus bivittatus and Ophiophagus hannah), Crocodylia reptiles (Alligator sinensis, Alligator mississippiensis, Gavialis gangeticus and Crocodylus porosus) and Testudines reptiles (Chelonia mydas, Pelodiscus sinensis and Chrysemys picta bellii) have been successfully sequenced[11,12,13,14,15]. These results have filled the genomic gap between amphibians and birds by providing genomic information on a wide variety of morphologically and physiologically distinct species. Developing a genomic resource associated with geckos is helpful in understanding the evolutionary history of Lepidosauria
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