Abstract
The study of reptilian genomes is crucial for the accurate investigation of genome evolution across amniotes. So far the genomes of only thirteen reptile species have been sequenced and published.
Although draft assemblies are often all that are required to answer some important biological questions, a greater level of resolution is needed for more detailed research into evolutionary processes. This can be achieved through building high-quality chromosomal maps and anchoring genomes to chromosomes.
We report on a preliminary work aimed at identifying the chromosome sequences of the Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis, the world's largest lizard, using an integrated approach based on flow sorting and next generation sequencing (NGS). We isolated V. komodoensis chromosomes by flow sorting, assigned each peak to a pair of chromosomes by FISH, and finally amplified chromosome-specific DNA pools for NGS sequencing.
The resultant data will provide necessary database for anchoring newly sequenced and assembled Komodo dragon genome sequences to chromosomes, helping to provide a better insight into the evolution of squamate genomes. Integration of our results with chromosome painting data will allow the comparison of genome organization among squamates and facilitate the reconstruction of the ancestral amniote karyotype.
Moreover, the production of highquality genomic information will be of great benefit to the identification of molecular markers for further understanding of the evolutionary history of wild Komodo dragon populations.