Cryptic whole-genome duplication in bryozoans
Whole-genome duplications (WGDs) have long been proposed as evolutionary facilitators of biological complexity and diversification. Ancient WGDs occurred deep in the evolutionary history of both plants and vertebrates, but appear to be rare in invertebrates. However, it is unclear whether this reflects genuine scarcity or inadequate detection methodologies, and current methods may be insufficient…
Whole-genome duplications (WGDs) have been linked to biodiversity and complexity in evolution. While such duplications are common in plants and vertebrates, their presence in invertebrates has been less clear. Researchers used advanced genomic techniques to search for evidence of WGD in bryozoans, a group of small aquatic animals.
They found strong evidence for an ancient WGD in the freshwater bryozoan Cristatella mucedo, affecting every chromosome and leaving only around 10% of duplicated genes. Similar ancient WGD signatures were also detected in eight other bryozoan genomes, though they were less evident. Despite the vast loss of duplicate genes over time, genes enriched in cilia and those expressed in the lophophore, a specialized feeding organ, remained.
The study suggests that these cryptic WGD events helped bryozoans adapt to their sessile, filter-feeding lifestyle. The authors argue that including ancestral linkages in genomic analysis could enhance the detection of ancient WGDs.
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