Carolina Anole - Genomics

Genomics

This species has been chosen as a model reptile for genomics by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) genome sequencing program. It was selected because of the ease and low cost of laboratory breeding and evolutionary value of the diversity of the genus. Before its genome was published, only mammals and three bird species had been sequenced among amniotes. The draft genome sequence is 1.78 Gb (can be compared to ~3 Gb mammalian and ~1 Gb avian genomes), of which 30% are mobile elements such as LINEs, and contains an initially predicted 17,472 protein-coding genes and 2,924 RNA genes.