The American Genetic Association
@theaga.bsky.social
Society encouraging the study of comparative genetics and genomics to document, conserve, and manage organismal diversity. We publish biodiversity genetics & genomics research in Journal of Heredity. https://linktr.ee/theaga_org
The complete and annotated genome of bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) is now available, thanks to the California Conservation Genomics Project.
(Photo from the paper)
(Photo from the paper)
November 13, 2025 at 3:41 PM
The complete and annotated genome of bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) is now available, thanks to the California Conservation Genomics Project.
(Photo from the paper)
(Photo from the paper)
Here's the first chromosome-level genome of the pine siskin (Spinus pinus), a migratory songbird. This high-quality reference reveals insights into immune genes, transposable element activity, and genomic rearrangements. (Photo from paper)
November 12, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Here's the first chromosome-level genome of the pine siskin (Spinus pinus), a migratory songbird. This high-quality reference reveals insights into immune genes, transposable element activity, and genomic rearrangements. (Photo from paper)
🌱 Here's another genome from the CCGP: the first complete genome assembly of Colusa grass (Neostapfia colusana), an endangered California endemic!
(Photo from the paper)
(Photo from the paper)
November 11, 2025 at 3:05 PM
🌱 Here's another genome from the CCGP: the first complete genome assembly of Colusa grass (Neostapfia colusana), an endangered California endemic!
(Photo from the paper)
(Photo from the paper)
Out now: a newly-sequenced genome for Neandra brunnea, the pole borer, a longhorn beetle from eastern North America.
(Photo from the paper)
(Photo from the paper)
November 10, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Out now: a newly-sequenced genome for Neandra brunnea, the pole borer, a longhorn beetle from eastern North America.
(Photo from the paper)
(Photo from the paper)
New paper out now: 🐑 This study highlights the genetic diversity within National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) Rambouillet sheep, revealing high diversity among NSIP breeds but low diversity overall compared to international counterparts.
Photo: American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Assoc.
Photo: American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Assoc.
October 24, 2025 at 1:10 PM
New paper out now: 🐑 This study highlights the genetic diversity within National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) Rambouillet sheep, revealing high diversity among NSIP breeds but low diversity overall compared to international counterparts.
Photo: American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Assoc.
Photo: American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Assoc.
🦇 A new study uncovers SLC45A2 as a key genetic factor behind albinism in an Egyptian fruit bat, revealing reduced gene expression and unique mutations.
Photo by Lietuvos zoologijos sodas
Photo by Lietuvos zoologijos sodas
October 23, 2025 at 1:04 PM
🦇 A new study uncovers SLC45A2 as a key genetic factor behind albinism in an Egyptian fruit bat, revealing reduced gene expression and unique mutations.
Photo by Lietuvos zoologijos sodas
Photo by Lietuvos zoologijos sodas
Here's a genome from the CCGP! The ornate shrew (Sorex ornatus), is a key predator in wetlands across California and Baja California. Using PacBio HiFi and Omni-C sequencing, the authors achieved a highly contiguous assembly.
Photo: USFWS
Photo: USFWS
October 23, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Here's a genome from the CCGP! The ornate shrew (Sorex ornatus), is a key predator in wetlands across California and Baja California. Using PacBio HiFi and Omni-C sequencing, the authors achieved a highly contiguous assembly.
Photo: USFWS
Photo: USFWS
🔬 A new study on sexual conflict over shared traits (intralocus sexual conflict), in Drosophila reveals complex insights: male-limited (ML) selection didn’t consistently boost male fitness, but female fitness was notably reduced by ML haplotypes.
October 21, 2025 at 1:19 PM
🔬 A new study on sexual conflict over shared traits (intralocus sexual conflict), in Drosophila reveals complex insights: male-limited (ML) selection didn’t consistently boost male fitness, but female fitness was notably reduced by ML haplotypes.
🌱 De-extinction is no longer science fiction—advances in genome tech, reproductive methods, AI, and stem cell biology are making species revival possible.
October 20, 2025 at 4:42 PM
🌱 De-extinction is no longer science fiction—advances in genome tech, reproductive methods, AI, and stem cell biology are making species revival possible.
New in Genome Resources: 🪲 The forked fungus beetle (Bolitotherus cornutus) is a key model for studying social evolution and natural selection.
Photo: Stan Malcolm & Mark Smith of macroscopic solutions
Photo: Stan Malcolm & Mark Smith of macroscopic solutions
October 19, 2025 at 5:25 PM
New in Genome Resources: 🪲 The forked fungus beetle (Bolitotherus cornutus) is a key model for studying social evolution and natural selection.
Photo: Stan Malcolm & Mark Smith of macroscopic solutions
Photo: Stan Malcolm & Mark Smith of macroscopic solutions
🌍 Biodiversity is declining rapidly due to multiple threats. The 2022 Kunming-Montreal Framework aims to reverse this by 2030, with innovative tools like environmental DNA (eDNA) leading the way!
October 18, 2025 at 9:40 PM
🌍 Biodiversity is declining rapidly due to multiple threats. The 2022 Kunming-Montreal Framework aims to reverse this by 2030, with innovative tools like environmental DNA (eDNA) leading the way!
🌱 New in Genome Resources, the high-quality, chromosome-scale genome of American pickleweed (Salicornia depressa), North America’s most widespread salt-loving plant! This species offers insights into salt tolerance, vital for salt marsh conservation & agriculture.
October 17, 2025 at 6:53 PM
🌱 New in Genome Resources, the high-quality, chromosome-scale genome of American pickleweed (Salicornia depressa), North America’s most widespread salt-loving plant! This species offers insights into salt tolerance, vital for salt marsh conservation & agriculture.
🐢 The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) plays a crucial role in Eastern North American salt marshes but faces declines from habitat loss & over harvest. A new genetic study shows low diversity, especially at range edges, shaped by historic colonization & human activity.
October 16, 2025 at 11:26 PM
🐢 The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) plays a crucial role in Eastern North American salt marshes but faces declines from habitat loss & over harvest. A new genetic study shows low diversity, especially at range edges, shaped by historic colonization & human activity.
Another genome from the CCGP, this time for the first high-quality de novo genome of the California vole (Microtus californicus), a key species for conservation. Using PacBio HiFi & Omni-C tech, this genome offers insights into vole evolution, diversity, and conservation efforts.
October 15, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Another genome from the CCGP, this time for the first high-quality de novo genome of the California vole (Microtus californicus), a key species for conservation. Using PacBio HiFi & Omni-C tech, this genome offers insights into vole evolution, diversity, and conservation efforts.
🔍 Introducing NUMTsearcher! A new tool to enhance detection of nuclear mitochondrial DNA segments (NUMTs) across species. This script shows improved accuracy, reduced false positives, and insights into NUMT evolution in humans, fish, and more.
October 14, 2025 at 11:19 PM
🔍 Introducing NUMTsearcher! A new tool to enhance detection of nuclear mitochondrial DNA segments (NUMTs) across species. This script shows improved accuracy, reduced false positives, and insights into NUMT evolution in humans, fish, and more.
🐝 Exciting news! Here's a recently published Genome Resources paper for a high-quality genome of the black dwarf honey bee, Apis andreniformis. This bee is vital for pollinating Southeast Asian crops.
Photo: Zestin Soh
Photo: Zestin Soh
October 13, 2025 at 1:41 PM
🐝 Exciting news! Here's a recently published Genome Resources paper for a high-quality genome of the black dwarf honey bee, Apis andreniformis. This bee is vital for pollinating Southeast Asian crops.
Photo: Zestin Soh
Photo: Zestin Soh
Did you know there is only one species of the Babbler Radiation in the Americas? Through the CCGP, the wrentit, Chamaea fasciata, now has a genome assembly. This resource will advance studies on biogeography, adaptation, and conservation of this iconic bird.
September 15, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Did you know there is only one species of the Babbler Radiation in the Americas? Through the CCGP, the wrentit, Chamaea fasciata, now has a genome assembly. This resource will advance studies on biogeography, adaptation, and conservation of this iconic bird.
The ConGen Global (conservationgenetics...) course ‘Recent Advances in Conservation Genetics’ was established to educate & empower new generations of researchers and practitioners in genetic and genomic approaches to biodiversity conservation.
September 15, 2025 at 12:34 AM
The ConGen Global (conservationgenetics...) course ‘Recent Advances in Conservation Genetics’ was established to educate & empower new generations of researchers and practitioners in genetic and genomic approaches to biodiversity conservation.
Now in Advance Access: 🦬 Recent work using a SNP array reveals that genetic analysis of American bison at The Nature Conservancy’s American Prairie grasslands shows high diversity, low inbreeding, and no signs of cattle introgression.
September 13, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Now in Advance Access: 🦬 Recent work using a SNP array reveals that genetic analysis of American bison at The Nature Conservancy’s American Prairie grasslands shows high diversity, low inbreeding, and no signs of cattle introgression.
Another plant from the CCGP: a near-chromosome-level genome of the California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)! 🌺🌱 This species serves as a key model for studying plant adaptation across diverse climates.
Photo: Elizabeth Ryan
Photo: Elizabeth Ryan
September 12, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Another plant from the CCGP: a near-chromosome-level genome of the California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)! 🌺🌱 This species serves as a key model for studying plant adaptation across diverse climates.
Photo: Elizabeth Ryan
Photo: Elizabeth Ryan
Excited to announce a reference genome for Mimulus laciniatus, an alpine endemic of the Sierra Nevada! 🏔️🌱 This CCGP resource advances our understanding of adaptation in marginal habitats and supports further genetic studies of monkeyflowers.
September 11, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Excited to announce a reference genome for Mimulus laciniatus, an alpine endemic of the Sierra Nevada! 🏔️🌱 This CCGP resource advances our understanding of adaptation in marginal habitats and supports further genetic studies of monkeyflowers.
Excited to announce a reference genome for Mimulus laciniatus, an alpine endemic of the Sierra Nevada! 🏔️🌱 This CCGP resource advances our understanding of adaptation in marginal habitats and supports further genetic studies of monkeyflowers.
September 10, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Excited to announce a reference genome for Mimulus laciniatus, an alpine endemic of the Sierra Nevada! 🏔️🌱 This CCGP resource advances our understanding of adaptation in marginal habitats and supports further genetic studies of monkeyflowers.
Here's another genome from the CCGP, the rough limpet, Lottia scabra! 🦪🌊 This resource is useful for investigating genomic adaptation across the California Transition Zone, aiding conservation efforts, and understanding of environmental responses.
September 9, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Here's another genome from the CCGP, the rough limpet, Lottia scabra! 🦪🌊 This resource is useful for investigating genomic adaptation across the California Transition Zone, aiding conservation efforts, and understanding of environmental responses.
🐾Conservation challenge: In ex situ settings, black-footed ferrets show increased sperm DNA methylation and over 500 differentially methylated regions linked to reproduction and development.
Photo: J. Michael Lockhart/USFWS
Photo: J. Michael Lockhart/USFWS
August 26, 2025 at 1:10 PM
🐾Conservation challenge: In ex situ settings, black-footed ferrets show increased sperm DNA methylation and over 500 differentially methylated regions linked to reproduction and development.
Photo: J. Michael Lockhart/USFWS
Photo: J. Michael Lockhart/USFWS
Here's a beauty of an annotated genome for the beauty snake!
Using PacBio HiFi and Hi-C tech, the authors assembled a 1.62 Gb genome with 22,246 genes and a BUSCO score of over 98%.
Photo: Glenbrooks, Wikimedia
Using PacBio HiFi and Hi-C tech, the authors assembled a 1.62 Gb genome with 22,246 genes and a BUSCO score of over 98%.
Photo: Glenbrooks, Wikimedia
August 25, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Here's a beauty of an annotated genome for the beauty snake!
Using PacBio HiFi and Hi-C tech, the authors assembled a 1.62 Gb genome with 22,246 genes and a BUSCO score of over 98%.
Photo: Glenbrooks, Wikimedia
Using PacBio HiFi and Hi-C tech, the authors assembled a 1.62 Gb genome with 22,246 genes and a BUSCO score of over 98%.
Photo: Glenbrooks, Wikimedia