Reptile genomes open the frontier for comparative analysis of amniote development and regeneration

Marc Tollis, Elizabeth D. Hutchins, Kenro Kusumi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Developmental genetic studies of vertebrates have focused primarily on zebrafish, frog and mouse models, which have clear application to medicine and well-developed genomic resources. In contrast, reptiles represent the most diverse amniote group, but have only recently begun to gather the attention of genome sequencing efforts. Extant reptilian groups last shared a common ancestor ~280 million years ago and include lepidosaurs, turtles and crocodilians. This phylogenetic diversity is reflected in great morphological and behavioral diversity capturing the attention of biologists interested in mechanisms regulating developmental processes such as somitogenesis and spinal patterning, regeneration, the evolution of “snake-like” morphology, the formation of the unique turtle shell, and the convergent evolution of the four-chambered heart shared by mammals and archosaurs. The complete genome of the first non-avian reptile, the green anole lizard, was published in 2011 and has provided insights into the origin and evolution of amniotes. Since then, the genomes of multiple snakes, turtles, and crocodilians have also been completed. Here we will review the current diversity of available reptile genomes, with an emphasis on their evolutionary relationships, and will highlight how these genomes have and will continue to facilitate research in developmental and regenerative biology.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)863-871
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Journal of Developmental Biology
Volume58
Issue number10-12
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 8 2014

Keywords

  • Gene expression
  • Genomics
  • Regeneration
  • Reptile
  • Somitogenesis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Embryology
  • Developmental Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Reptile genomes open the frontier for comparative analysis of amniote development and regeneration'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this