Applications of next-generation sequencing to the study of biological invasions

• 来源期刊: 动物学报（英文版）
• 年，卷（期）: 2015,（3）
• 页码范围: 499-525
• 页数: 27页
• 语种: 英文

摘要

Through the widespread implementation of next-generation sequencing (NGS), analyses of the whole genome (the entire DNA content) and the whole transcriptome (the genes being expressed) are becoming commonplace. NGS enables the analysis of a vast amount of previously unattainable genetic information. Despite this potential, NGS has yet to be widely imple-mented in genetic studies of biological invasions. The study of the genomic causes and consequences of biological invasions al-lows a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning the invasion process. In this review, we present a brief introduction to NGS followed by a synthesis of current research in the genomics and transcriptomics of adaptation and coloniza-tion. We then highlight research opportunities in the field, including: (1) assembling genomes and transcriptomes of non-model organisms, (2) identifying genomic regions and candidate genes underlying evolutionary processes, and (3) studying the adaptive role of gene expression variation. In particular, because introduced species face a broad range of physiological and biotic chal-lenges when colonizing novel and variable environments, transcriptomics will enable the study of gene regulatory pathways that may be responsible for acclimation or adaptation. To conclude, we identify a number of research approaches that will aid our fu-ture understanding of biological invasions [Current Zoology 61 (3): 488–504, 2015].