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Genome size: 430 million bases
Interesting fact: The variety sequenced, Criollo, was among the first chocolate varieties to be domesticated by the Mayans 3,000 years ago, and is one of few breeds that produces some of the most expensive dark chocolate on the market today.
X. Argout, et al., "The genome of Theobroma cacao," Nature Genetics, 43:101-8, 2011.
Species name: Woodland strawberry, Fragaria vesca
Genome size: 240 million bases
Interesting fact: The woodland strawberry has the smallest plant genome sequenced thus far except for Arabidopsis.
V. Shulaev, et al., "The genome of woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca)," Nature Genetics, 43: 109-16, 2011.
A slew of ants
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Genome size: 290 million bases
Interesting fact: The researchers found that the genome was lacking in several genes relating to nutrient-acquisition, which could be related to its fungus farming lifestyle.
G. Suen, et al., "The genome sequence of the leaf-cutter ant Atta cephalotes reveals insights into its obligate symbiotic lifestyle," PLoS Genetics, 7(2): e1002007, doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1002007, 2011.
Species name: Red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta
Genome size: 352.7 million bases
Interesting fact: Red imported fire ants were introduced to the southern United States from South America in the 1930s and cause health, agricultural, and electrical problems that cost the country $5 billion a year.
Y. Wurm, et al., "The genome of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta," PNAS, DOI: linkurl:10.1073/pnas.1009690108, 2011.
Species name: Red harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex barbatus
Genome size: 220 million bases
Interesting fact: Native to the southwestern United States, red harvester ant populations have been on the decline in recent years, probably due to competition with the invasive red imported fire ant (above) and argentine ant (below).
C.R. Smith, et al., "Draft genome of the red harvester ant Pogonomyrmex barbatus," PNAS, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1007901108, 2011.
Species name: Argentine ant, Linepithema humile
Genome size: 215.6 million bases
Interesting fact: Argentine ants form "supercolonies" across hundreds or thousands of kilometers, and individuals from different continents are capable of recognizing one another as kin.
C.D. Smith, et al., "Draft genome of the globally widespread and invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile)," PNAS, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1008617108, 2011.
Man's close relative
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Genome size: 3.08 billion bases
Interesting fact: Using these data, the researchers dated the divergence of the Sumatran orangutan from its island neighbor, the Bornean organtuan (Pongo pygmaeus), at 400,000 years -- the most recent estimation to date.
D.P. Locke, et al., "Comparative and demographic analysis of orang-utan genomes," Nature, 469: 529-33, 2011.
A tiny crustacean
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Genome size: 200 million bases
Interesting fact: This freshwater algivore is a commonly used as an indicator species for pollution as it is very sensitive to contamination.
J.K. Colbourne, et al., "The ecoresponsive genome of Daphnia pulex," Science, 331: 555-61, 2011.
**__Related stories:__***linkurl:African genomes sequenced;http://www.the-scientist.com/blog/display/57147/
[17th February 2010]*linkurl:Cancer genomes sequenced;http://www.the-scientist.com/blog/display/56221/
[16th December 2009]*Honeybee genome sequenced
[25th October 2006]
