A proposal to sequence the genome of a garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)

Todd Adam Castoe, Anne M. Bronikowski, Edmund D. Brodie, Scott V. Edwards, Michael E. Pfrender, Michael D. Shapiro, David D. Pollock, Wesley C. Warren

Abstract


Here we develop an argument in support of sequencing a garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) genome, and outline a plan to accomplish this. This snake is a common, widespread, nonvenomous North American species that has served as a model for diverse studies in evolutionary biology, physiology, genomics, behavior and coevolution. The anole lizard is currently the only genome sequence available for a non-avian reptile. Thus, the garter snake would be the first available snake genome sequence and as such would provide much needed comparative representation of non-avian reptilian genomes, and would also allow critical new insights for vertebrate comparative genomic studies. We outline the major areas of discovery that the availability of the garter snake genome would enable, and describe a plan for whole-genome sequencing.

doi:10.4056/sigs.1664145


Keywords


non-avian reptiles; comparative genomics; de-novo genome sequencing; amniotes

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Acknowledgements

We would like to gratefully acknowledge the support of many members of the Genomic Standards Consortium, the broader genomic science community, and those who have indicated their willingness to serve as editors, reviewers and contributors.

Funding for SIGS is provided by a grant from the Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies at Michigan State University, the Michigan State University Foundation, and the US Department of Energy Biological and Environmental Research DE-FG02-08ER64707.

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