Darwinula stevensoni Genome sequencing and assembly. Darwinula stevensoni

Transposons are universal features of all eukaryotic genomes. Transposons are considered major evolutionary players and can be linked to fast adaptations and stress responses. Notwithstanding their huge importance, knowledge of dynamics and effects of transposons on their hosts is still limited for many organisms.The project UNTANGLE will investigate the possible effects of transposons on evolution and adaptions of the non marine ostracod Darwinula stevensoni (Crustacea). This species has a wide geographic distribution and can survive a surprisingly broad range of salinities and temperatures. It is also one of the few remaining examples of putative ancient asexuals, having lost sex and recombination at least 20 million years ago. How D. stevensoni can survive and adapt in the apparent absence of sex, remains an evolutionary puzzle. Diverse transposons cover at least 26 percent of the genome of D. stevensoni, and some are still actively transposing. Transposon activity might in part compensate for the absence of meiosis and sex, which are generally the main generator of genetic variation for selection to act on.