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ScienceQuiet 6d · day 11

UC Davis sequences genome of trapdoor spider named for Stephen Colbert

Aptostichus stephencolberti has a genome 50% larger than humans, with 52 chromosomes compared to 23.

newest coverage 5d agosummary written 8d ago9 pieces NewswiresGoogle NewsMastodon

What to know

  • Aptostichus stephencolberti, a trapdoor spider named after Stephen Colbert, has a genome 50% larger than humans (4.6 billion base pairs across 52 chromosomes vs. 23 human chromosomes).
  • The spider is the first member of its family to have its genome sequenced; 77% of its genome consists of repetitive sequences rather than additional genes.
  • The species lives only in fragmented Central California coastal dunes and is threatened by sea-level rise, invasive species, and climate change—making genomic data vital for conservation efforts.

Jason Bond UC Davis entomology professor, lead researcherStephen ColbertStephen Colbert Comedian and namesake

How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts

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  1. 1

    Genome data supports conservation efforts for endangered coastal dune habitat

    The genomic research is part of California's state-funded Conservation Genomics project. The data will help researchers understand how climate change, fire, urbanization, and sea-level rise impact genetic diversity of the species, which lives only in fragmented Central California coastal dunes from San Francisco Bay to Monterey.

    “We're hoping to understand how things like climate change, fire and urbanization might be impacting the genetic diversity of species.”
    — Jason Bond
    • AkaSci@fosstodon.org

      The trapdoor spider, Aptostichus stephencolberti, has a genome ~50% larger than that of a human (52 chromosomes vs 23). The last "t" in stephencolberti is silent 😀 In spiders, much of the genome consist of repetitive sequences. Other species named after Colbert - Agaporomorphus colberti - Venezuelan diving beetle Diamphipnoa colberti - Chilean…

      AkaSci@fosstodon.orgMastodon10d agoview on Mastodon ↗
    1 more of the top 2 · 2 posts in this stretch
    • researchbuzz@researchbuzz.masto.host

      Today in Brand! New! Sentences! https://www. ucdavis.edu/curiosity/news/sci entists-sequence-genome-spider-named-stephen-colbert

      researchbuzz@researchbuzz.masto.hostMastodon5d agoview on Mastodon ↗
    all of them →
  2. background

    Genome reveals spider's repetitive DNA and rapid chromosome evolution — Analysis shows that 77% of the spider's genome consists of repetitive sequences rather than additional genes. Unlike humans, Aptostichus stephencolberti lacks telomere repeats protecting chromosome ends, which may explain faster chromosome evolution in spiders compared to vertebrates.

  3. background

    UC Davis publishes genome sequence of Aptostichus stephencolberti — Researchers at the University of California, Davis, led by Jason Bond, published the first-ever genome sequence of Aptostichus stephencolberti in the Journal of Heredity. The trapdoor spider's genome contains 4.6 billion DNA base pairs across 52 chromosomes, making it roughly 50% larger than the human genome.

  4. background

    Colbert demands spider named after him on air — After learning that Jason Bond had named a trapdoor spider after rock musician Neil Young, Stephen Colbert used his Comedy Central segment "Who's Not Honoring Me Now?" to demand a spider be named after him. Bond agreed to the request.

Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet

  1. 4 outlets A spider named for Stephen Colbert has a genome about 50% larger than ours

    first by Phys.org, 11d ago · also Popular Science, StudyFinds, UC Davis

    3 more headlines

and 1 smaller piece

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