High-coverage genomes to elucidate the evolution of penguins

A groundbreaking genomic study of penguins reveals that the genus Aptenodytes, which includes the emperor and king penguins, is the basal lineage to all other extant penguin genera. This challenges previous evolutionary models and sheds new light on how penguins adapted to extreme environments like Antarctica. The research presents a comprehensive dataset of 21 high-coverage genomes representing all living penguin species, providing a robust phylogenetic framework. It also introduces an international consortium focused on studying these genomes while emphasizing the importance of legal and respectful indigenous consultation, particularly for New Zealand's Taonga species. This work not only advances our understanding of penguin evolution but also offers critical insights for conservation efforts in the face of climate change.

Pan, H., Cole, T. L., Bi, X., Fang, M., Zhou, C., Yang, Z., Ksepka, D. T., Hart, T., Bouzat, J. L., Argilla, L. S., Bertelsen, M. F., Boersma, P. D., Bost, C.-A., Cherel, Y., Dann, P., Fiddaman, S. R., Howard, P., Labuschagne, K., Mattern, T., et al. (2019). High-coverage genomes to elucidate the evolution of penguins. GigaScience, 8(9). https://doi.org/10.1093/gigascience/giz117