Abstract
BackgroundThe mechanism of high-altitude adaptation has been studied in certain mammals. However, in avian species like the ground tit Pseudopodoces humilis, the adaptation mechanism remains unclear. The phylogeny of the ground tit is also controversial.ResultsUsing next generation sequencing technology, we generated and assembled a draft genome sequence of the ground tit. The assembly contained 1.04 Gb of sequence that covered 95.4% of the whole genome and had higher N50 values, at the level of both scaffolds and contigs, than other sequenced avian genomes. About 1.7 million SNPs were detected, 16,998 protein-coding genes were predicted and 7% of the genome was identified as repeat sequences. Comparisons between the ground tit genome and other avian genomes revealed a conserved genome structure and confirmed the phylogeny of ground tit as not belonging to the Corvidae family. Gene family expansion and positively selected gene analysis revealed genes that were related to cardiac function. Our findings contribute to our understanding of the adaptation of this species to extreme environmental living conditions.ConclusionsOur data and analysis contribute to the study of avian evolutionary history and provide new insights into the adaptation mechanisms to extreme conditions in animals.
Highlights
The mechanism of high-altitude adaptation has been studied in certain mammals
The results provided an insight into the evolutionary relationships among avian species, and between and within Passeriformes (including P. humilis and T. guttata) and between Galliformes (including G. gallus and M. gallopavo)
We aimed to identify some of the factors that contribute to the high-altitude adaptation of the ground tit, which may help in understanding the mechanisms used by other species in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) highlands
Summary
The mechanism of high-altitude adaptation has been studied in certain mammals. In avian species like the ground tit Pseudopodoces humilis, the adaptation mechanism remains unclear. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), known as ‘the roof of the world’, has become the focus of many biological studies. Many aboriginal animals, such as the Tibetan antelope, sheep and yak, and even humans (Tibetans), survive there under extreme environmental condition, including reduced oxygen supply and freezing temperatures. Some genes related to high-altitude adaptation in Tibetans [1,2,3] and in yaks [4] have been detected. Ground tits may have adapted to high-altitude conditions via different genes or functional pathways
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
