Transposons and non-coding regions drive the intrafamily differences of genome size in insects

• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104873
• Publication Date: 2022-08-04T06:55:11Z
• Authors: Yuyang Cong; Xinhai Ye; Yang Mei; Kang He; Fei Li
• Keywords: Genome size

Genome size (GS) can vary considerably between phylogenetically close species, but the landscape of GS changes in insects remain largely unclear. To better understand specific evolutionary factors that determine insects, we examined flow cytometry-based published data from 1,326 insect spanning 700 genera, 155 families, and 21 orders. Model fitting showed generally followed an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck adaptive model Insecta overall. Ancestral reconstruction indicated a likely 1,069 Mb, suggesting most clades appeared to undergo massive genome expansions or contractions. Quantification genomic components 56 species nine families four orders revealed proliferation transposable elements contributed high variation such as within Coleoptera. This study sheds lights on pattern provides understanding evolution.