ABSTRACT
Antechinus are a genus of mouse-like marsupials that exhibit a rare reproductive strategy known as semelparity and also naturally develop age-related neuropathologies similar to those in humans. We provide the first annotated antechinus reference genome for the brown antechinus (Antechinus stuartii). The reference genome is 3.3 Gb in size with a scaffold N50 of 73Mb and 93.3% complete mammalian BUSCOs. Using bioinformatic methods we assign scaffolds to chromosomes and identify 0.78 Mb of Y-chromosome scaffolds. Comparative genomics revealed interesting expansions in the NMRK2 gene and the protocadherin gamma family, which have previously been associated with aging and age-related dementias respectively. Transcriptome data displayed expression of common Alzheimer's related genes in the antechinus brain and highlight the potential of utilising the antechinus as a future disease model. The valuable genomic resources provided herein will enable future research to explore the genetic basis of semelparity and age-related processes in the antechinus.
ABSTRACT
Sunshine virus is a paramyxovirus of pythons associated with neurorespiratory disease and mortalities. This report provides evidence for its vertical transmission. In a collection of over 200 Australian pythons, a dam and a sire, both carpet pythons (Morelia spilota), were PCR-positive for Sunshine virus at a time when the dam was likely to have been gravid. A clutch of 21 eggs was laid and three non-viable eggs were tested for the presence of Sunshine virus by PCR. One egg had been incubating for 34 days while the other two had been incubating for 49 days. The surface of all three eggs was negative for Sunshine virus but swabs of the allantois and amnion were positive in all three eggs. Embryo tissue samples were tested from the two 49 day old eggs. From one embryo, a sample of brain and a pooled sample of lung, liver, kidney and intestine were positive, while for the other embryo, a pooled sample of lung, liver, kidney, intestine and brain was positive. Fourteen of the 21 eggs hatched and all hatchlings were tested by PCR at least once between the ages of 53 and 229 days old. All hatchlings were PCR-negative for Sunshine virus.
