Anemonefishes: A model system for evolutionary genomics [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

• Published in: F1000 research Vol. 12; p. 204
• Main Authors: Herrera, Marcela, Ravasi, Timothy, Laudet, Vincent
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Faculty of 1000 Ltd 2023; F1000 Research Limited; F1000 Research Ltd
• Subjects: adaptive radiation; Amphiprion; Biology; chromosome-scale assembly; Chromosomes; clownfish; Coral reefs; eng; Evolution; Evolution & development; Females; Gene expression; genome; Genomes; Genomics; Life span; Molecular modelling; pigmentation; Proteomics; Review; Social interactions; Symbiosis; Indian Ocean; Pacific Ocean; Amphiprion; genome; pigmentation; proteomics; adaptive radiation; chromosome-scale assembly; transcriptomics; clownfish
• ISSN: 2046-1402; 2046-1402
• DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.130752.2

Anemonefishes are an iconic group of coral reef fish particularly known for their mutualistic relationship with sea anemones. This mutualism is especially intriguing as it likely prompted the rapid diversification of anemonefish. Understanding the genomic architecture underlying this process has indeed become one of the holy grails of evolutionary research in these fishes. Recently, anemonefishes have also been used as a model system to study the molecular basis of highly complex traits such as color patterning, social sex change, larval dispersal and life span. Extensive genomic resources including several high-quality reference genomes, a linkage map, and various genetic tools have indeed enabled the identification of genomic features controlling some of these fascinating attributes, but also provided insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying adaptive responses to changing environments. Here, we review the latest findings and new avenues of research that have led to this group of fish being regarded as a model for evolutionary genomics.