• Energy Research

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.

Abstract Background Penguins (Sphenisciformes) are a remarkable order of flightless wing-propelled diving seabirds distributed widely across the southern hemisphere. They share a volant common ancestor with Procellariiformes close to the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary (66 million years ago) and subsequently lost the ability to fly but enhanced their diving capabilities. With ~20 species among 6 genera, penguins range from the tropical Galápagos Islands to the oceanic temperate forests of New Zealand, the rocky coastlines of the sub-Antarctic islands, and the sea ice around Antarctica. To inhabit such diverse and extreme environments, penguins evolved many physiological and morphological adaptations. However, they are also highly sensitive to climate change. Therefore, penguins provide an exciting target system for understanding the evolutionary processes of speciation, adaptation, and demography. Genomic data are an emerging resource for addressing questions about such processes. Results Here we present a novel dataset of 19 high-coverage genomes that, together with 2 previously published genomes, encompass all extant penguin species. We also present a well-supported phylogeny to clarify the relationships among penguins. In contrast to recent studies, our results demonstrate that the genus Aptenodytes is basal and sister to all other extant penguin genera, providing intriguing new insights into the adaptation of penguins to Antarctica. As such, our dataset provides a novel resource for understanding the evolutionary history of penguins as a clade, as well as the fine-scale relationships of individual penguin lineages. Against this background, we introduce a major consortium of international scientists dedicated to studying these genomes. Moreover, we highlight emerging issues regarding ensuring legal and respectful indigenous consultation, particularly for genomic data originating from New Zealand Taonga species. Conclusions We believe that our dataset and project will be important for understanding evolution, increasing cultural heritage and guiding the conservation of this iconic southern hemisphere species assemblage.

Penguins (Sphenisciformes) are a highly diverse order of seabirds distributed widely across the Southern Hemisphere. They shared a common ancestor with Procellariiformes about 60 million years ago, and have subsequently transited from flying seabirds to flightless marine divers. Approximately 20 extant penguin species are recognized across six well-defined genera, ranging from the Galápagos Islands on the equator, to the oceanic temperate forests of New Zealand, the rocky coastlines of the sub-Antarctic islands, and the sea-ice around Antarctica. To inhabit such diverse and extreme environments, this speciose order has evolved many physiological and morphological adaptations. However, penguins are also highly sensitive to climate change, and most species are already declining or are predicted to decline under future climate change scenarios. Therefore, penguins are an exciting system for understanding the evolutionary processes of speciation, adaptation and demography. Genomic data are an emerging resource for addressing questions about such processes. Here we present 19 new high-coverage genomes that, together with two previously published genomes also available in GigaDB, encompass all extant penguin species. As such, this dataset provides a novel resource for understanding the evolutionary history within penguins, and between penguins and other avifauna. We believe that our dataset and project will be important for cultural heritage and the conservation of this iconic Southern Hemisphere species assemblage. Comparative and evolutionary genomic analyses are currently being carried out, and the consortium welcomes new members interested in contributing to this work. While this work is still underway we have published these 19 penguin genomes to provide early-release, while requesting researchers intending to use this data for similar cross-species comparisons to continue to follow the Fort Lauderdale and Toronto rules.

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.

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 Fiordland crested penguin (also known as Fiordland penguin, and in Māori it is known as Tawaki) is endemic only to the south-western coasts of New Zealand's South Island as well as on Stewart Island/Rakiura and nearby islands. It is a crested penguin closely related to the Snares crested penguin. Historically, Fiordland crested and Snares crested penguins were considered incipient - however can be distinguished from the Snares crested penguin by having no bare skin around the base of its bill. The Fiordland crested penguin breeds among tree roots and rocks in dense temperate coastal forest, laying a clutch of two eggs where the first-laid egg is much smaller than the second egg, and generally hatches later, with higher mortality. This breeding system demonstrates a brood reduction system that is unique from other avian groups. The Fiordland crested penguin was probably more widely distributed before human arrival to New Zealand ~750 years ago. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the Fiordland crested penguin as vulnerable, and the New Zealand Department of Conservation classifies them as endangered. The Fiordland crested penguin is a Taonga, or treasured possession in Māori culture.We sequenced the genome of an adult Fiordland-crested penguin from Harrison Cove, Milford Sound, New Zealand South Island (provided by Thomas Mattern/Theresa Cole) 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 1.17Gb, with the contig and scaffold N50 values of 32.54Kb and 8.39Mb respectively. We identified 19170 protein-coding genes.

The Gentoo penguin is easily recognized by the wide white stripe extending across the top of its head, and its bright orange-red bill. It has a long tail. Gentoos are the third-largest species of penguin after the Emperor penguin and the King penguin. Gentoos are well adapted to extremely cold and harsh climates. Breeding colonies are located on ice-free surfaces. Gentoos breed on many sub-Antarctic islands, with main colonies are on the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and Kerguelen Islands. Gentoo penguins exhibit population genetic structure, and different populations are occasionally considered to represent several subspecies. They are considered as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).We sequenced the genome of an adult Gentoo penguin from West Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica (provided by Tom Hart) to a depth of approximately 105x with short reads from a series of libraries with various insert sizes (250bp-20Kb). The assembled scaffolds of high quality sequences total 1.26Gb, with the contig and scaffold N50 values of 91.59Kb and 2.65Mb respectively. We identified 16698 protein-coding genes.

The Royal penguin is a crested penguin with golden-yellow crests found primarily on Macquarie Island, however a few individuals have also been detected in the Prince Edward Island group and other subantarctic islands. The Royal penguin is often considered a separate species from the Macaroni penguin, given its unique white facial plumage and relatively restricted breeding range. Several recent genetic studies, however, have demonstrated that the Royal penguin and Macaroni penguin are probably incipient. Historically, Royal penguins were hunted for their oil (between 1870 - 1919). The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the Royal penguin as near threatened.We sequenced the genome of an adult Royal penguin from Green Gorge, Macquarie Island, Australia (provided by Gary Miller) to a depth of approximately 320x with short reads from a series of libraries with various insert sizes (250bp-20Kb). The assembled scaffolds of high quality sequences total 1.18Gb, with the contig and scaffold N50 values of 23.62Kb and 1.79Mb respectively. We identified 17191 protein-coding genes.