A Feulgen glimpse into genome evolution during range expansion: a case study of the subterranean amphipod Niphargus schellenbergi

In 1923, Robert Feulgen designed a quantitative approach to measure the relative DNA content of species (its so-called “C-value”, which is defined as half somatic cell and expressed in pg). The has several advantages: it can be used on ethanol-preserved samples, relatively inexpensive, does not require sophisticated equipment (Hardie et al. 2002, Jeffery Gregory 2014, Kasten 2003). Gathering information key preliminary step for whole-genome sequencing non-model also yield important ecological evolutionary studies well conservation (Jeffery 2013), since genome size been shown strongly correlated extinction risk animals plants (Vinogradov 2004, Vinogradov Among invertebrates, Niphargidae among largest families freshwater subterranean amphipods world, more than 450 niphargid have described (Horton 2021). Thus, considered an ideal model studies. Using new, improved protocol, we generated novel estimates 26 samples Niphargus schellenbergi collected from central western European niphargids. obtained C-values ranged 2.75 5.25 pg. Such two-fold intraspecific variation unusual but unheard of: occurs monogonont rotifer Brachionus asplanchnoidis (Stelzer Further research will required find out mechanisms responsible this variation, may result copy-number polyploidy and/or various amounts transposable elements.