Comparative Genomics Reveals Evolutionary Drivers of Sessile Life and Left-Right Shell Asymmetry in Bivalves

• DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2021.10.005
• Publication Date: 2022-01-26T03:42:12Z
• Authors: Yang Zhang; Fan Mao; Shu Xiao; Haiyan Yu; Zhiming Xiang; Fei Xu; Jun Li; Lili Wang; Yuanyan Xiong; Mengqiu Chen; Yongbo Bao; Yuewen Deng; Quan Huo; Lvping Zhang; Wenguang Liu; Xuming Li; Haitao Ma; Yuehuan Zhang; Xiyu Mu; Min Liu; Hongkun Zheng; Nai-Kei Wong; Ziniu Yu
• Keywords: Comparative Genomics

Abstract Bivalves are species-rich mollusks with prominent protective roles in coastal ecosystems. Across these ancient lineages, colony-founding larvae anchor themselves either by byssus production or cemented attachment. The latter mode of sessile life is strongly molded left-right shell asymmetry during larval development Ostreoida oysters such as Crassostrea hongkongensis. Here, we sequenced the genome C. hongkongensis high resolution and compared it to reference bivalve genomes unveil genomic determinants driving attachment asymmetry. Importantly, loss homeobox gene Antennapedia (Antp) broad expansion lineage-specific extracellular families implicated a shift from byssal bivalves. Comparative transcriptomic analysis shows conspicuous divergence between asymmetrical symmetrical Pinctada fucata their expression profiles. Especially, couple orthologous transcription factor genes shell-related including that encoding tyrosinases elevated, may cooperatively govern formation oysters.