The American Genetic Association
@theaga.bsky.social
Society encouraging the study of comparative genetics and genomics to document, conserve, and manage organismal diversity. We publish biodiversity genetics & genomics research in Journal of Heredity. https://linktr.ee/theaga_org
🌵 The cactus moth, an invasive threat across the US and Caribbean, is impacting native cacti and prickly pear industries. This RNA-Seq study reveals stage- and sex-specific gene expression, providing new genetic insights to develop innovative control strategies, including gene editing.
November 25, 2025 at 5:52 PM
🌵 The cactus moth, an invasive threat across the US and Caribbean, is impacting native cacti and prickly pear industries. This RNA-Seq study reveals stage- and sex-specific gene expression, providing new genetic insights to develop innovative control strategies, including gene editing.
Newly published paper shows how convergent evolution showcases nature’s adaptive power! The authors generated high-quality genomes for 10 brood parasitic birds with independent origins spanning 1.6 to 30 million years.
(Tree/photo from the paper)
(Tree/photo from the paper)
November 24, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Newly published paper shows how convergent evolution showcases nature’s adaptive power! The authors generated high-quality genomes for 10 brood parasitic birds with independent origins spanning 1.6 to 30 million years.
(Tree/photo from the paper)
(Tree/photo from the paper)
The northern elephant seal, once near extinction with just a few survivors, is now a conservation success story! Thanks to the California Conservation Genomics Project, scientists have generated a high-quality reference genome to study its resilience, genetic diversity, and recovery.
November 23, 2025 at 6:56 PM
The northern elephant seal, once near extinction with just a few survivors, is now a conservation success story! Thanks to the California Conservation Genomics Project, scientists have generated a high-quality reference genome to study its resilience, genetic diversity, and recovery.
🦒 Recent genomics research confirms four distinct giraffe species, revealing extensive hybridization in North American captive populations. To ensure effective conservation, authors recommend phasing out hybrids and creating new, genetically pure stocks through international collaboration.
November 22, 2025 at 11:10 PM
🦒 Recent genomics research confirms four distinct giraffe species, revealing extensive hybridization in North American captive populations. To ensure effective conservation, authors recommend phasing out hybrids and creating new, genetically pure stocks through international collaboration.
🧬 Out now! This study on the endangered eastern Massasauga rattlesnake reveals 218 candidate genes linked to disease response, highlighting genetic factors that may influence resistance to Snake Fungal Disease.
(Photo from the Gibbs Lab)
(Photo from the Gibbs Lab)
November 21, 2025 at 3:10 PM
🧬 Out now! This study on the endangered eastern Massasauga rattlesnake reveals 218 candidate genes linked to disease response, highlighting genetic factors that may influence resistance to Snake Fungal Disease.
(Photo from the Gibbs Lab)
(Photo from the Gibbs Lab)
🧬 Here's an intriguing paper addressing how complex behaviors evolve. This study on white three-spined sticklebacks reveals that traits associated with loss of paternal care—like nest dispersal, courtship, and size—map to different genomic regions and evolve independently.
November 20, 2025 at 2:19 PM
🧬 Here's an intriguing paper addressing how complex behaviors evolve. This study on white three-spined sticklebacks reveals that traits associated with loss of paternal care—like nest dispersal, courtship, and size—map to different genomic regions and evolve independently.
Another genome from the CCGP, this time the chromosome-level genome of Greene’s Tuctoria (Tuctoria greenei), an amphibious grass endemic to California’s vernal pools!
Photo: Sarah Gordon
Photo: Sarah Gordon
November 19, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Another genome from the CCGP, this time the chromosome-level genome of Greene’s Tuctoria (Tuctoria greenei), an amphibious grass endemic to California’s vernal pools!
Photo: Sarah Gordon
Photo: Sarah Gordon
🌊 The green shore crab, Carcinus maenas, a top marine invader present on six continents, now has a high-quality reference genome! This breakthrough enables deeper insights into its invasion success and aids in managing invasive species.
Photo: nwtreatytribes.org/s...
Photo: nwtreatytribes.org/s...
November 18, 2025 at 3:13 PM
🌊 The green shore crab, Carcinus maenas, a top marine invader present on six continents, now has a high-quality reference genome! This breakthrough enables deeper insights into its invasion success and aids in managing invasive species.
Photo: nwtreatytribes.org/s...
Photo: nwtreatytribes.org/s...
🌱 Here's some cool new work exploring adaptation through gene expression! This study on Boechera stricta across elevational gradients shows significant genetic variation and signatures of selection in gene expression, especially in traits related to light, circadian rhythm, and development.
November 17, 2025 at 5:21 PM
🌱 Here's some cool new work exploring adaptation through gene expression! This study on Boechera stricta across elevational gradients shows significant genetic variation and signatures of selection in gene expression, especially in traits related to light, circadian rhythm, and development.
🦌 Exciting news! As part of the California Conservation Genomics Project, scientists assembled a high-quality, chromosome-level genome for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). (photo from the paper)
November 16, 2025 at 1:52 PM
🦌 Exciting news! As part of the California Conservation Genomics Project, scientists assembled a high-quality, chromosome-level genome for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). (photo from the paper)
Announcing a new Special Collection for the California Conservation Genomics Project (CCGP)! academic.oup.com/jhe...
Launched in 2019, the CCGP is advancing how we understand, monitor and protect California's rich ecological resources.
Launched in 2019, the CCGP is advancing how we understand, monitor and protect California's rich ecological resources.
November 15, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Announcing a new Special Collection for the California Conservation Genomics Project (CCGP)! academic.oup.com/jhe...
Launched in 2019, the CCGP is advancing how we understand, monitor and protect California's rich ecological resources.
Launched in 2019, the CCGP is advancing how we understand, monitor and protect California's rich ecological resources.
🪲 Exciting milestone for a model organism! Scientists produced the first chromosome-level genome of the forked fungus beetle (Bolitotherus cornutus), a key model for social evolution and group selection. (image credit: Stan Malcolm and Mark Smith of macroscopic solutions)
November 14, 2025 at 9:17 PM
🪲 Exciting milestone for a model organism! Scientists produced the first chromosome-level genome of the forked fungus beetle (Bolitotherus cornutus), a key model for social evolution and group selection. (image credit: Stan Malcolm and Mark Smith of macroscopic solutions)
The complete and annotated genome of bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) is now available, thanks to the California Conservation Genomics Project.
(Photo from the paper)
(Photo from the paper)
November 13, 2025 at 3:41 PM
The complete and annotated genome of bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) is now available, thanks to the California Conservation Genomics Project.
(Photo from the paper)
(Photo from the paper)
Here's the first chromosome-level genome of the pine siskin (Spinus pinus), a migratory songbird. This high-quality reference reveals insights into immune genes, transposable element activity, and genomic rearrangements. (Photo from paper)
November 12, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Here's the first chromosome-level genome of the pine siskin (Spinus pinus), a migratory songbird. This high-quality reference reveals insights into immune genes, transposable element activity, and genomic rearrangements. (Photo from paper)
🌱 Here's another genome from the CCGP: the first complete genome assembly of Colusa grass (Neostapfia colusana), an endangered California endemic!
(Photo from the paper)
(Photo from the paper)
November 11, 2025 at 3:05 PM
🌱 Here's another genome from the CCGP: the first complete genome assembly of Colusa grass (Neostapfia colusana), an endangered California endemic!
(Photo from the paper)
(Photo from the paper)
Out now: a newly-sequenced genome for Neandra brunnea, the pole borer, a longhorn beetle from eastern North America.
(Photo from the paper)
(Photo from the paper)
November 10, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Out now: a newly-sequenced genome for Neandra brunnea, the pole borer, a longhorn beetle from eastern North America.
(Photo from the paper)
(Photo from the paper)
New paper out now: 🐑 This study highlights the genetic diversity within National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) Rambouillet sheep, revealing high diversity among NSIP breeds but low diversity overall compared to international counterparts.
Photo: American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Assoc.
Photo: American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Assoc.
October 24, 2025 at 1:10 PM
New paper out now: 🐑 This study highlights the genetic diversity within National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) Rambouillet sheep, revealing high diversity among NSIP breeds but low diversity overall compared to international counterparts.
Photo: American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Assoc.
Photo: American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Assoc.
🦇 A new study uncovers SLC45A2 as a key genetic factor behind albinism in an Egyptian fruit bat, revealing reduced gene expression and unique mutations.
Photo by Lietuvos zoologijos sodas
Photo by Lietuvos zoologijos sodas
October 23, 2025 at 1:04 PM
🦇 A new study uncovers SLC45A2 as a key genetic factor behind albinism in an Egyptian fruit bat, revealing reduced gene expression and unique mutations.
Photo by Lietuvos zoologijos sodas
Photo by Lietuvos zoologijos sodas
Here's a genome from the CCGP! The ornate shrew (Sorex ornatus), is a key predator in wetlands across California and Baja California. Using PacBio HiFi and Omni-C sequencing, the authors achieved a highly contiguous assembly.
Photo: USFWS
Photo: USFWS
October 23, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Here's a genome from the CCGP! The ornate shrew (Sorex ornatus), is a key predator in wetlands across California and Baja California. Using PacBio HiFi and Omni-C sequencing, the authors achieved a highly contiguous assembly.
Photo: USFWS
Photo: USFWS
🔬 A new study on sexual conflict over shared traits (intralocus sexual conflict), in Drosophila reveals complex insights: male-limited (ML) selection didn’t consistently boost male fitness, but female fitness was notably reduced by ML haplotypes.
October 21, 2025 at 1:19 PM
🔬 A new study on sexual conflict over shared traits (intralocus sexual conflict), in Drosophila reveals complex insights: male-limited (ML) selection didn’t consistently boost male fitness, but female fitness was notably reduced by ML haplotypes.
🌱 De-extinction is no longer science fiction—advances in genome tech, reproductive methods, AI, and stem cell biology are making species revival possible.
October 20, 2025 at 4:42 PM
🌱 De-extinction is no longer science fiction—advances in genome tech, reproductive methods, AI, and stem cell biology are making species revival possible.
New in Genome Resources: 🪲 The forked fungus beetle (Bolitotherus cornutus) is a key model for studying social evolution and natural selection.
Photo: Stan Malcolm & Mark Smith of macroscopic solutions
Photo: Stan Malcolm & Mark Smith of macroscopic solutions
October 19, 2025 at 5:25 PM
New in Genome Resources: 🪲 The forked fungus beetle (Bolitotherus cornutus) is a key model for studying social evolution and natural selection.
Photo: Stan Malcolm & Mark Smith of macroscopic solutions
Photo: Stan Malcolm & Mark Smith of macroscopic solutions
🌍 Biodiversity is declining rapidly due to multiple threats. The 2022 Kunming-Montreal Framework aims to reverse this by 2030, with innovative tools like environmental DNA (eDNA) leading the way!
October 18, 2025 at 9:40 PM
🌍 Biodiversity is declining rapidly due to multiple threats. The 2022 Kunming-Montreal Framework aims to reverse this by 2030, with innovative tools like environmental DNA (eDNA) leading the way!
🌱 New in Genome Resources, the high-quality, chromosome-scale genome of American pickleweed (Salicornia depressa), North America’s most widespread salt-loving plant! This species offers insights into salt tolerance, vital for salt marsh conservation & agriculture.
October 17, 2025 at 6:53 PM
🌱 New in Genome Resources, the high-quality, chromosome-scale genome of American pickleweed (Salicornia depressa), North America’s most widespread salt-loving plant! This species offers insights into salt tolerance, vital for salt marsh conservation & agriculture.
🐢 The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) plays a crucial role in Eastern North American salt marshes but faces declines from habitat loss & over harvest. A new genetic study shows low diversity, especially at range edges, shaped by historic colonization & human activity.
October 16, 2025 at 11:26 PM
🐢 The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) plays a crucial role in Eastern North American salt marshes but faces declines from habitat loss & over harvest. A new genetic study shows low diversity, especially at range edges, shaped by historic colonization & human activity.