• Energy Research

The Macaroni penguin is a crested penguin with golden-yellow crests found widely on subantarctic islands to the Antarctic peninsula. The Macaroni penguin is often considered a separate species from the Royal penguin, given its unique black facial plumage and wide breeding range. Several recent genetic studies, however, have demonstrated that the Macaroni penguin and Royal penguin are probably incipient. They are the most numerous penguin species. However, widespread declines have been recorded in many populations and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the Macaroni penguin as vulnerable.We sequenced the genome of an adult Macaroni penguin from Marion Island, Prince Edward Islands (provided by Peter Ryan) to a depth of approximately 109x with short reads from a series of libraries with various insert sizes (250bp-20Kb). The assembled scaffolds of high quality sequences total 1.25Gb, with the contig and scaffold N50 values of 160.01Kb and 13.16Mb respectively. We identified 16311 protein-coding genes.

The King penguin is the second largest species of penguin. They have a circumpolar range, breeding on the subantarctic islands at the northern reaches of Antarctica, South Georgia, and other temperate islands. They were heavily hunted for oil on Macquarie Island. King penguins appear to have suffered a major population declines, and 70% are expected to disappear in the next eighty years, however they are still considered as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).We sequenced the genome of an adult King penguin from Fortuna Bay, South Georgia (provided by Tom Hart) to a depth of approximately 120x with short reads from a series of libraries with various insert sizes (250bp-20Kb). The assembled scaffolds of high quality sequences total 1.24Gb, with the contig and scaffold N50 values of 114.03Kb and 2.77Mb respectively. We identified 15195 protein-coding genes.

The Erect-crested penguin is endemic only to the New Zealand Antipodes Islands and Bounty Islands. It is a crested penguin closely related to the extinct Chatham Island crested penguin, and is named after its upright yellow crests. The Erect-crested penguin breeds in large colonies on rocky terrain. Little is known about its biology and breeding habits. Populations have recently declined and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies it as endangered. The Erect-crested penguin is a Taonga, or treasured possession in Mori culture.We sequenced the genome of an adult Erect-crested penguin from Antipodes Island, New Zealand sub-Antarctic (provided by Chris Rickard/Sarah Fraser) to a depth of approximately 131x with short reads from a series of libraries with various insert sizes (250bp-20Kb). The assembled scaffolds of high quality sequences total 1.25Gb, with the contig and scaffold N50 values of 67.93Kb and 1.83Mb respectively. We identified 15786 protein-coding genes.

The Humboldt penguin inhabits coastal Chile and Peru. They nest on islands and rocky coasts, holes in guano and in caves. Humboldt penguin populations are declining, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies them as vulnerable.We sequenced the genome of an adult Humboldt penguin from Copenhagen Zoo, of Peru and Chile lineage (provided by Mads Bertelsen) to a depth of approximately 172x with short reads from a series of libraries with various insert sizes (250bp-20Kb). The assembled scaffolds of high quality sequences total 1.21Gb, with the contig and scaffold N50 values of 19.38Kb and 5.94Mb respectively. We identified 16587 protein-coding genes.

The Magellanic penguin breeds in coastal Argentina, Chile and the Falkland Islands. Nests are built under bushes or in burrows, and they lay eggs in warm places when the temperature remains over 20. Magellanic penguins travel in large flocks when hunting for food. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the Magellanic penguin as near threatened.We sequenced the genome of an adult Magellanic penguin from Chiloe Island, Chile (provided by Juan Bouzat) to a depth of approximately 171x with short reads from a series of libraries with various insert sizes (250bp-20Kb). The assembled scaffolds of high quality sequences total 1.2Gb, with the contig and scaffold N50 values of 40.48Kb and 12.09Mb respectively. We identified 16795 protein-coding genes.

The African penguin (also known as jackass penguin and black-footed penguin) is endemic to southern African coasts. The pink gland above the eyes helps to adjust to changing temperatures: when it's hotter, more blood is sent to these glands to be cooled by the surrounding air. It is a charismatic species and is popular with tourists. The African penguin has declined rapidly and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies it as endangered.We sequenced the genome of an adult African penguin from Luderitz, Namibia (provided by Kim Labuschagne) to a depth of approximately 115x with short reads from a series of libraries with various insert sizes (250bp-20Kb). The assembled scaffolds of high quality sequences total 1.23Gb, with the contig and scaffold N50 values of 99.03Kb and 14.67Mb respectively. We identified 16134 protein-coding genes.

The Northern rockhopper penguin (also known as Moseley's rockhopper penguin or Moseley's penguin) is a small crested penguin closely related to the Eastern and Western rockhopper penguins. The Northern rockhopper penguin breeds on Amsterdam and Gough islands. They breed in colonies at sea level, on cliff sides and sometimes inland. Populations of the Northern rockhopper penguin have declined drastically, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies them as endangered.We sequenced the genome of an adult Northern rockhopper penguin from Amsterdam Island, Southern Indian Ocean (provided by Yves Cherel) to a depth of approximately 139x with short reads from a series of libraries with various insert sizes (250bp-20Kb). The assembled scaffolds of high quality sequences total 1.23Gb, with the contig and scaffold N50 values of 20.86Kb and 2.14Mb respectively. We identified 16812 protein-coding genes.

The Australian fairy penguin (also known as little blue penguin, blue penguin and little penguin) is one of the smallest penguins. It is found widely along the southern coastlines of Australia and the Otago coast of New Zealand. They have a slate-blue plumage. Recent genetic, morphological and behavioral research has demonstrated that the Australian fairy penguin is a separate species to the New Zealand little blue penguin, however this still remains controversial. Populations have recently declined, and they are considered as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), however this assessment still classifies the Australian and New Zealand species as conspecific.We sequenced the genome of an adult Fairy penguin from Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia (provided by Peter Dann) to a depth of approximately 137x with short reads from a series of libraries with various insert sizes (250bp-20Kb). The assembled scaffolds of high quality sequences total 1.28Gb, with the contig and scaffold N50 values of 119.59Kb and 27.92Mb respectively. We identified 17188 protein-coding genes.

The Chinstrap penguin inhabits a variety of islands and shores in the Southern Pacific and the Antarctic Oceans. It has a narrow black band under its head. They breed in Antarctica, Argentina, Bouvet Island, Chile, the Falkland Islands, the French Southern Territories, and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Populations of Chinstrap penguin are considered to be decreasing overall, however in many sites the populations are increasing or stable. They are considered as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).We sequenced the genome of an adult Chinstrap penguin from Thule Island, South Sandwich Islands (provided by Tom Hart) to a depth of approximately 125x with short reads from a series of libraries with various insert sizes (250bp-20Kb). The assembled scaffolds of high quality sequences total 1.24Gb, with the contig and scaffold N50 values of 115.56Kb and 5.89Mb respectively. We identified 15488 protein-coding genes.