Project description:The fur of the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), a model marsupial, is lightweight, soft and has superior insulation properties. Two predominate fur colours exisit: grey or black. RNA-sequencing of skin from grey (n=3) and black (n=3) possums was performed to investigate gene expression changes between these colour morphs.
Project description:The brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, is threatened in parts of its native range in Australia, but has also become a devastating mammalian pest following introduction into New Zealand from the mid 1800s. We have completed the first chromosome-level assembly of the possum genome and, using nuclear and mitochondrial analyses, traced southern New Zealand possums to distinct Tasmanian and mainland Australian subspecies, which have subsequently hybridised. This admixture is reflected in high levels of genetic diversity within New Zealand populations despite a founding bottleneck. Functional genomics revealed unique adaptations to altricial birth and extending weaning, including novel chemo-sensory genes, and at least four genes with imprinted, parent-specific expression not yet detected in other species (MLH1, EPM2AIP1, UBP1 and GPX7). We found that reprogramming of possum germline imprints and the wider epigenome was similar to eutherian mammals, except onset occurs after birth. Together, our data and analysis is useful for genetic-based control and conservation of possums, and contributes to understanding of the evolution of novel mammalian epigenetic traits such as germline methylation erasure and genomic imprinting.
Project description:The brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, is threatened in parts of its native range in Australia, but has also become a devastating mammalian pest following introduction into New Zealand from the mid 1800s. We have completed the first chromosome-level assembly of the possum genome and, using nuclear and mitochondrial analyses, traced southern New Zealand possums to distinct Tasmanian and mainland Australian subspecies, which have subsequently hybridised. This admixture is reflected in high levels of genetic diversity within New Zealand populations despite a founding bottleneck. Functional genomics revealed unique adaptations to altricial birth and extending weaning, including novel chemo-sensory genes, and at least four genes with imprinted, parent-specific expression not yet detected in other species (MLH1, EPM2AIP1, UBP1 and GPX7). We found that reprogramming of possum germline imprints and the wider epigenome was similar to eutherian mammals, except onset occurs after birth. Together, our data and analysis is useful for genetic-based control and conservation of possums, and contributes to understanding of the evolution of novel mammalian epigenetic traits such as germline methylation erasure and genomic imprinting.
Project description:Partial genome characterisation of a non-cultivable marsupial adenovirus is described. Adenovirus-like particles were found by electron microscopy (EM) in the intestinal contents of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand. Using degenerate PCR primers complementary to the most conserved genome regions of adenoviruses, the complete nucleotide sequence of the penton base gene, and partial nucleotide sequences of the DNA polymerase, hexon, and pVII genes were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis of the penton base gene strongly suggested that the brushtail possum adenovirus (candidate PoAdV-1) belongs to the recently proposed genus Atadenovirus. Sequence analysis of the PCR products amplified from the intestinal contents of brushtail possums originating from different geographical regions of New Zealand identified a single genotype. This is the first report of molecular confirmation of an adenovirus in a marsupial.