Sebastes rubrivinctus genome sequencing. Sebastes rubrivinctus

DNA purified from fin preserved in ethanol Evolutionary diversity: With an estimated 102 species included in the group, the rockfish (genus Sebastes) marine species flock on the west coast of North America offers intriguing opportunities to broaden our knowledge of molecular mechanisms underlying speciation and adaptation in marine vertebrates. Conservation concern: Rockfish of the genus Sebastes support important commercial and recreational fisheries on the west coast of North America. They have a low intrinsic rate of population increase and highly sporadic recruitment. These factors render them vulnerable to overfishing, and species within the genus are among the first threatened marine species under the Endangered Species Act. Understanding the evolutionary forces acting across broad latitudinal gradients at the genome level promises to make a significant contribution to our understanding of their basic ecology, genetics, and conservation. Model of aging/negligible senescence: Some species of the Sebastes genus have extremely long lifespans and do not show signs of aging (negligible senescence), while others demonstrate typical aging patterns and have short lifespans. S. rubrivinctus has a lifespan of 18 years, but it is closely related to S. nigrocinctus, which lives at least 116 years. Comparison of their genomes could be helpful in identifying the genetic basis of extreme lifespans and negligible senescence.