The reference genomes of two fern species shed light on fern genome evolution and fern-cyanobacterial symbiosis, paving the way for understanding the unique and interesting biology of ferns. These include evidence of a whole genome duplication Furthermore, a new chromosome-scale assembly of the Physcomitrella patens genome, a model for the mosses, was first released in 2017 (Lang et al., 2018). The large genomes of ferns have long deterred genome sequencing efforts. One fern- To date, only two heterosporous ferns with remarkably small genomes, Azolla filiculoides and Salvinia cucullata, have been sequenced. In the study, recently published in the journal Nature Plants, the researchers sequenced the entirety of the Azolla genome, as well as the genome of a second fern species, Salvinia cucullata. Salvinia cucullata (260 Mbp) (Fig. The Azolla’s genome is relatively short, at a modest .75 gigabases. However, as sequencing technologies continue to improve and become more affordable, generating high-quality, “normal-sized” fern genomes is within reach. The assemblies and analyses of Azolla filiculoides and Salvinia cucullata genomes were recently published (Li et al 2018 Nature Plants).

colossal. We have around a dozen species in the pipeline. In 2018, the first genomic data from ferns (Azolla filiculoides and Salvinia cucullata), a close sister group to angiosperms, was published (Li et al., 2018). 1), and generated whole genome sequences for both species. Results were then used to identify proteins with a domain of interest. In brief genome sequences of interest were downloaded then converted into an Excel file; single copies of proteins were determined and then submitted to the NCBI Conserved Domain Database. A genome has only been fully sequenced for Azolla filiculoides and Salvinia cucullata, yet no transformation methods have been developed for them. Interestingly, we have found that S. cucullata has the smallest genome every reported in ferns, with just 0.255 Gb and would make a nice genomic comparison to Azolla. Here we provide new genome … Currently we are collaborating with 10KP to broadly sequence genomes across the fern tree of life.

DATA AND CODE AVAILABILITY Genome sequences, whole-genome assemblies, and genome annotations of S. muscicola and M. endlicherianum have been submitted to … Here, we report on the genomes of Azolla filiculoides and Salvinia cucullata (Salviniales) and present evidence for episodic whole-genome duplication in ferns—one at the base of ‘core leptosporangiates’ and one specific to Azolla. The closely related Marsilea vestita, on the other hand, lacks a genome, but extensive research has been conducted to …

In addition to describing the general features of their genes, transposons and proteomes, the authors provide some interesting stories that relate to very different aspects of their biology. Salvinia cucullata: Polypodiophyta: Fern 0.26 Gb 19,914 2018: Gymnosperms.