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Research
The genome sequence of the ground tit Pseudopodoces humilis provides insights into its adaptation to high altitude.
Genome Biology 2013, 14:R29 doi:10.1186/gb-2013-14-3-r29
Published: 28 March 2013Abstract (provisional)
Background
The 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.
Results
Using 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 belonging to the Paridae 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.
Conclusions
Our data and analysis contribute to the study of avian evolutionary history and provide new insights into the adaptation mechanisms to extreme conditions in animals.
