A comprehensive ranking of the candidate reference genes using different algorithms^*.

*: Parameters used in this ranking are Geometric Mean (GM), Stability Value (SV), Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r), and Standard Deviation (SD). In NormFinder, a low stability value indicates a more stable gene. Based on the stability value, RPL13 (0.134) was the most stable and reliable reference gene. The overall ranking of candidate reference genes from the most stable to the least stable was: RPL13, v-ATPase, 18S, GAPDH, Tubulin, 28S, EF1A, SDHA, Actin, and RP49 (Table 2). BestKeeper provides a two-way ranking which separates the correlation of expression among the genes from the overall variations in expression levels (SD). Based on BestKeeper, RPL13 (SD = 0.49) and v-ATPase (SD = 0.58) had the most stable expression across all the life stages (S3 Table). A comprehensive ranking of the candidate reference genes using different algorithms*.