A KAUST-led team mapped the genome of the orange clownfish using the university's Supercomputing and Bioscience Core Labs. The genome contains 26,597 protein-coding genes and is available via the Nemo Genome DB database. The clownfish genome is one of the most complete fish genomes ever produced, comprising approximately 939 million nucleotides. Why it matters: This genomic map provides a crucial resource for understanding reef fish biology and responses to environmental changes like climate change.
Scientists at KAUST discovered that the iconic 'organ pipe coral,' long considered a single species, actually comprises at least 15 genetically distinct lineages. Two of these newly identified lineages are unique to the Red Sea, adding to the region's known marine biodiversity. Published in Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, the research used ultraconserved elements in DNA to reveal this hidden evolutionary history. Why it matters: This discovery underscores the importance of genomic tools in understanding and characterizing marine biodiversity and provides crucial information for conservation planning in the Red Sea and globally.