Monodon monoceros isolate:NGI Genome sequencing and assembly. Monodon monoceros isolate:NGI

The evolutionary history of the narwhal, Monodon monoceros, is not well characterized. Investigative informatic groups will study three areas of interest to better understand its extraordinary tusk and unique expression, the evolution of this Arctic restrictive species, and its population over time, and the narwhal’s ability to adapt to a changing Arctic. First, will be an examination of phylogenetics to better understand how exactly this whale evolved. Genomic studies will reveal information to help construct the history over time for this species and its adaptation to past glaciation and fluctuations in temperature and sea levels. Second, will be an analysis of the narwhal’s extraordinary tusk, and how it evolved with such a unique and counterintuitive expression. Comparative genomics using odontocetes, and other tusked animals will be examined as well as comparative studies of mobile elements. Third, will be a study of narwhal health through the use of proteomics to help identify candidate diagnostic and prognostic protein markers of disease and or stress. These molecular signatures will generate hypotheses for future studies as well as improve our fundamental understanding of how human interactions are affecting narwhal health. PSMC analysis, and SNP arrays and polymorphism detection will provide additional information about genetic modifications related to health and adaptation.

独角鲸（narwhal，学名*Monodon monoceros*）的演化历史目前尚未得到充分阐释。本研究团队将围绕三个核心科研方向展开工作，以期深入解析该北极特有物种的非凡长牙与独特表型、演化历程、种群动态变化，以及其应对北极环境变迁的适应能力。
其一，开展系统发育学（phylogenetics）研究，明确该鲸类的具体演化路径。基因组学研究将为构建该物种的演化历史，以及其对过往冰期、温度与海平面波动的适应机制提供数据支撑。
其二，针对独角鲸的非凡长牙及其独特且反直觉的表型演化过程展开分析。研究将采用齿鲸类（odontocetes）及其他长牙动物的比较基因组学方法，同时结合可移动元件（mobile elements）的比较分析。
其三，借助蛋白质组学（proteomics）技术开展独角鲸健康相关研究，以期筛选出可用于疾病与应激诊断及预后的候选蛋白标志物。这些分子特征不仅可为后续研究提供假说方向，还能增进我们对人类活动如何影响独角鲸健康的基础认知。
成对序列马尔可夫凝聚模型（PSMC，Pairwise Sequentially Markovian Coalescent）分析、单核苷酸多态性（SNP）芯片检测及多态性筛选，将为解析与健康及适应相关的遗传修饰提供额外数据支持。