observing copepods through a genomic lens通过基因组透镜观察桡足类.pdfVIP

Bron et al. Frontiers in Zoology 2011, 8:22 /content/8/1/22 DEBATE Open Access Observing copepods through a genomic lens 1* 2 3 4 5 6 James E Bron , Dagmar Frisch , Erica Goetze , Stewart C Johnson , Carol Eunmi Lee and Grace A Wyngaard Abstract Background: Copepods outnumber every other multicellular animal group. They are critical components of the world’s freshwater and marine ecosystems, sensitive indicators of local and global climate change, key ecosystem service providers, parasites and predators of economically important aquatic animals and potential vectors of waterborne disease. Copepods sustain the world fisheries that nourish and support human populations. Although genomic tools have transformed many areas of biological and biomedical research, their power to elucidate aspects of the biology, behavior and ecology of copepods has only recently begun to be exploited. Discussion: The extraordinary biological and ecological diversity of the subclass Copepoda provides both unique advantages for addressing key problems in aquatic systems and formidable challenges for developing a focused genomics strategy. This article provides an overview of genomic studies of copepods and discusses strategies for using genomics tools to address key questions at levels extending from individuals to ecosystems. Genomics can, for instance, help to decipher patterns of genome evolution such as those that occur during transitions from free living to symbiotic and parasitic lifestyles and can assist in the identification of genetic mechanisms and accompanying physiological changes associated with adaptation to new or physiologically challenging environments. The adaptive si