Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 17, 2026
08:36
Efficient Techniques for Comprehensive Sampling of Accessible Tissues in Adult Xenopus
Published on: June 10, 2025
771
Improving amphibian genomic resources: a multitissue reference transcriptome of an iconic invader
Mark F Richardson1,2, Fernando Sequeira3, Daniel Selechnik4
1Deakin University, Bioinformatics Core Research Group, 75 Pigdons Road, Locked Bag 20000, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia.
Gigascience
|November 30, 2017
Summary
Researchers created a comprehensive genetic resource for cane toads (Rhinella marina), enabling the study of rapid evolution in invasive species. This new transcriptome provides a foundation for understanding the genetic basis of their widespread ecological impacts.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genomics
- Invasive Species Research
Background:
- Cane toads (Rhinella marina) are a globally invasive species studied for rapid evolution.
- Despite their ecological significance, genetic data for cane toads remains limited.
- Understanding their genetic basis is crucial for managing invasive populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate a de novo transcriptome for the cane toad (Rhinella marina).
- To provide a resource for investigating the genetic underpinnings of rapid phenotypic changes observed in introduced cane toad populations.
- To facilitate research into the evolutionary adaptations of invasive species.
Main Methods:
- Generated approximately 1.9 billion reads from tadpole and adult tissues.
- Utilized a transcriptome assembly pipeline with 100 de novo assemblies.
- Constructed and functionally annotated over 62,000 transcripts.
Main Results:
- Assembled 62,202 transcripts, with ~50% functionally annotated.
- Achieved 90% full-length completeness for Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs.
- The resulting transcriptome is one of the most complete anuran genomic resources available.
Conclusions:
- The comprehensive transcriptome is a valuable resource for studying genes under selection in invasive cane toads.
- This resource expands general knowledge of anuran genomes, which are underrepresented.
- The data is publicly available to support broader research in evolutionary and conservation biology.
