High-coverage genomes to elucidate the evolution of penguins

Background: Penguins (Sphenisciformes) are a remarkable order of flightless wing-propelled diving seabirds distributed widely across the southern hemisphere. They share a volant common ancestor with Procellariiformes close to the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary (66 million years ago) and subsequently lost the ability to fly but enhanced their diving capabilities. With ∼20 species among 6 genera, penguins range from the tropical Galápagos Islands to the oceanic temperate forests of New Zealand, the rocky coastlines of the sub-Antarctic islands, and the sea ice around Antarctica. To inhabit such diverse and extreme environments, penguins evolved many physiological and morphological adaptations. However, they are also highly sensitive to climate change. Therefore, penguins provide an exciting target system for understanding the evolutionary processes of speciation, adaptation, and demography. Genomic data are an emerging resource for addressing questions about such processes. Results: Here we present a novel dataset of 19 high-coverage genomes that, together with 2 previously published genomes, encompass all extant penguin species. We also present a well-supported phylogeny to clarify the relationships among penguins. In contrast to recent studies, our results demonstrate that the genus Aptenodytes is basal and sister to all other extant penguin genera, providing intriguing new insights into the adaptation of penguins to Antarctica. As such, our dataset provides a novel resource for understanding the evolutionary history of penguins as a clade, as well as the fine-scale relationships of individual penguin lineages. Against this background, we introduce a major consortium of international scientists dedicated to studying these genomes. Moreover, we highlight emerging issues regarding ensuring legal and respectful indigenous consultation, particularly for genomic data originating from New Zealand Taonga species. Conclusions: We believe that our dataset and project will be important for understanding evolution, increasing cultural heritage and guiding the conservation of this iconic southern hemisphere species assemblage. Fil: Pan, Hailin. Bgi-shenzhen; China Fil: Cole, Theresa L. University Of Otago; Canadá Fil: Bi, Xupeng. Bgi-shenzhen; China Fil: Fang, Miaoquan. Bgi-shenzhen; China Fil: Zhou, Chengran. Bgi-shenzhen; China Fil: Yang, Zhengtao. Bgi-shenzhen; China Fil: Ksepka, Daniel T. Bruce Museum; Estados Unidos Fil: Hart, Tom. University of Oxford; Reino Unido Fil: Bouzat, Juan L.. Bowling Green State University; Estados Unidos Fil: Boersma, P. Dee. University of Washington; Estados Unidos Fil: Bost, Charles-André. Centre Detudes Biologiques de Chizé; Francia Fil: Cherel, Yves. Centre Detudes Biologiques de Chizé; Francia Fil: Dann, Peter. Phillip Island Nature Parks; Australia Fil: Mattern, Thomas. University of Otago; Nueva Zelanda Fil: Ellenberg, Ursula. Global Penguin Society; Estados Unidos. La Trobe University; Australia Fil: Garcia Borboroglu, Jorge Pablo. University of Washington; Estados Unidos. Global Penguin Society; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos; Argentina Fil: Argilla, Lisa S.. Otago Polytechnic; Nueva Zelanda Fil: Bertelsen, Mads F.. Copenhagen Zoo; Dinamarca. University of Copenhagen; Dinamarca Fil: Fiddaman, Steven R.. University of Oxford; Reino Unido Fil: Howard, Pauline. Hornby Veterinary Centre; Nueva Zelanda. South Island Wildlife Hospital; Nueva Zelanda Fil: Labuschagne, Kim. National Zoological Garden; Sudáfrica Fil: Miller, Gary. University of Western Australia; Australia. University of Tasmania; Australia Fil: Parker, Patricia. University of Missouri St. Louis; Estados Unidos Fil: Phillips, Richard A.. Natural Environment Research Council; Reino Unido Fil: Quillfeldt, Petra. Justus-Liebig-Universit ̈ at Giessen; Alemania Fil: Ryan, Peter G.. University of Cape Town; Sudáfrica Fil: Taylor, Helen. Vet Services Hawkes Bay Ltd; Nueva Zelanda. Wairoa Farm Vets; Nueva Zelanda Fil: Zhang, De-Xing. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China Fil: Zhang, Guojie. BGI-Shenzhen; China. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de China. University of Copenhagen; Dinamarca Fil: McKinlay, Bruce. Department of Conservation; Nueva Zelanda