Comparative Transcriptomics of Patagonian Lizards (Liolaemus) and Central-American Casque-headed Lizards (Coroytophanidae)

Authors

Megan McGhie, Brigham Young University
Jack Sites Jr., Brigham Young University

Keywords

comparative transcriptomics, patagonian lizards, Central-American Casque-headed lizards

College

Life Sciences

Department

Biology

Abstract

Introduction This project aimed help identify some of the genomic basis of various phenotypic-genotypic relationships among reptiles. These include the genetic basis of adaption in the following aims: (1) the evolution of hemoglobin subunits and its relationship to high altitudes/hypoxia and (2) comparative analyses on parity modes (oviparity, viviparity, and parthenogenesis). For these purposes, we analyzed published data versus the new data form two charismatic groups of lizards: (1) four species of the temperate Patagonian genus Liolaemus and (2) one species from each of the Neotropical genera Corytophanes and Basiliscus (family: Corytophanidae). Both clades have relative limited or no genomic/transcriptomic data, despite the interesting biological questions surrounding the evolution of phenotypic adaptations and genetic basis of such phenotypes. My research planned to focus on some of the basic issues on the phenotype– genotype relationships in these two groups, specifically in tracing some of the details of genomic changes associated with the evolution of these novel parity modes.

Recommended Citation

McGhie, Megan and Sites, Jack Jr. (2017) "Comparative Transcriptomics of Patagonian Lizards (Liolaemus) and Central-American Casque-headed Lizards (Coroytophanidae)," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2017: Iss. 1, Article 187.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2017/iss1/187