January 2024 archive

Genomic Data Reveal Diverse Biological Characteristics of Scleractinian Corals and Promote Effective Coral Reef Conservation

Reef-building corals (Scleractinia, Anthozoa, Cnidaria) are the keystone organisms of coral reefs, which constitute the most diverse marine ecosystems. Since the first decoded coral genome reported in 2011, about 40 reference genomes are registered as of 2023. Comparative genomic analyses of coral genomes have revealed genomic characters that may underlie unique biological characteristics and coral diversification. These include existence of genes for biosynthesis of mycosporine-like amino…

Genomic Data Reveal Diverse Biological Characteristics of Scleractinian Corals and Promote Effective Coral Reef Conservation

Reef-building corals (Scleractinia, Anthozoa, Cnidaria) are the keystone organisms of coral reefs, which constitute the most diverse marine ecosystems. Since the first decoded coral genome reported in 2011, about 40 reference genomes are registered as of 2023. Comparative genomic analyses of coral genomes have revealed genomic characters that may underlie unique biological characteristics and coral diversification. These include existence of genes for biosynthesis of mycosporine-like amino…

Ordovician origin and subsequent diversification of the brown algae

Brown algae are the only group of heterokont protists exhibiting complex multicellularity. Since their origin, brown algae have adapted to various marine habitats, evolving diverse thallus morphologies and gamete types. However, the evolutionary processes behind these transitions remain unclear due to a lack of a robust phylogenetic framework and problems with time estimation. To address these issues, we employed plastid genome data from 138 species, including heterokont algae, red algae, and…

Ordovician origin and subsequent diversification of the brown algae

Brown algae are the only group of heterokont protists exhibiting complex multicellularity. Since their origin, brown algae have adapted to various marine habitats, evolving diverse thallus morphologies and gamete types. However, the evolutionary processes behind these transitions remain unclear due to a lack of a robust phylogenetic framework and problems with time estimation. To address these issues, we employed plastid genome data from 138 species, including heterokont algae, red algae, and…

DsRNA sequencing revealed a previously missed terminal sequence of a +ssRNA virus that infects dinoflagellate Heterocapsa circularisquama

Heterocapsa circularisquama RNA virus (HcRNAV) is the only dinoflagellate-infecting RNA virus cultured. However, only two strains of HcRNAV have been registered with complete genome sequences (strains 34 and 109 for UA and CY types, respectively). To extend the genomic information of HcRNAV, we performed full-genome sequencing of an unsequenced strain of HcRNAV (strain A8) using the fragmented and primer-ligated double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) sequencing (FLDS) method. The complete genome of HcRNAV…

DsRNA sequencing revealed a previously missed terminal sequence of a +ssRNA virus that infects dinoflagellate Heterocapsa circularisquama

Heterocapsa circularisquama RNA virus (HcRNAV) is the only dinoflagellate-infecting RNA virus cultured. However, only two strains of HcRNAV have been registered with complete genome sequences (strains 34 and 109 for UA and CY types, respectively). To extend the genomic information of HcRNAV, we performed full-genome sequencing of an unsequenced strain of HcRNAV (strain A8) using the fragmented and primer-ligated double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) sequencing (FLDS) method. The complete genome of HcRNAV…