Extreme genomic variation in a natural population

摘要: Whole-genome sequence data from samples of natural populations provide fertile grounds for analyses intraspecific variation and tests population genetic theory. We show that the urochordate Ciona savignyi, one species ocean-dwelling broadcast spawners commonly known as sea squirts, exhibits highest rates single-nucleotide structural polymorphism ever comprehensively quantified in a multicellular organism. demonstrate cause extreme heterozygosity is large effective size, and, consistent with prediction by neutral theory, we find evidence strong purifying selection. These results constitute in-depth insight into dynamics highly polymorphic genomes important empirical support theory it pertains to heterozygosity,