Didemnum vexillum
genome

 
 

A new version of D. vexillum genome is online available. This new version combines PacBio technology and the Illumina raw data used to assembly the first draft genome version published in BMC genomics "Automated detection of ncRNAs in the draft genome sequence of a basal chordate: The Carpet Sea Squirt Didemnum vexillum". As a consequence of how D. vexillum spread worldwide the species has received much attention among study cases of marine bio-invasions due to its rapid and aggressive expansion. For this reason, genomic studies of this species may reveal important aspects that make this species such a successful invader and a non-model organism to trace back the evolutionary histories of chordates.


References:

1) Parra-Rincon, E., Velandia-Huerto, Cristian A., Gittenberger A., Brown, Federico D., Stadler, Peter F., Bermúdez-Santana, Clara I.The genome of the "Sea Vomit" Didemnum vexillum. In preparation.

2) Velandia-Huerto, Cristian A., Gittenberger, Adriaan A, Brown, Federico D. Stadler, Peter F., Bermúdez-Santana, Clara I. Automated detection of ncRNAs in the draft genome sequence of a colonial tunicate: the carpet sea squirt Didemnum vexillum BMC Genomics 17, 691 (2016) doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2934-5

The colonial sea carpet squirt : Didemnum vexillum

Photo credit: Gittemberger, 2018