Tuatara genome reveals diverse insights into a remarkable reptile

Tuatara genome reveals diverse insights into a remarkable reptile

The genome of a remarkable reptile

The tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) is the last living member of the reptilian order Rhynchocephalia, which once roamed across the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana. The first genetic sequence of this iconic New Zealand animal reveals its crucial link to the now-extinct stem reptiles from which dinosaurs, modern reptiles, birds and mammals evolved. It also illuminates the tuatara’s unique biology, including its unusual longevity and combination of bird- and reptile-like features. The study sets a new standard for co-production: the work is a collaboration between genomicists and Ngātiwai, the Maori iwi (people) who have guardianship over the tuatara populations that were used. Geneticist Rebecca Johnson explores the findings in a Nature News & Views article.

Nature News & Views | 7 min read
Get up to speed quickly with first author Neil Gemmell’s Twitter thread about the paper.Reference: Nature paper