The Most Genes in an Animal? Tiny Crustacean Holds the Record

The Most Genes in an Animal? Tiny Crustacean Holds the Record
Thu, 03 Feb 2011 13:12:00 -0600

Scientists have discovered that the animal with the most genes--about 31,000--is the near-microscopic freshwater crustacean Daphnia pulex, or water flea.

By comparison, humans have about 23,000 genes. Daphnia is the first crustacean to have its genome sequenced.

The water flea's genome is described in a Science paper published this week by members of the Daphnia Genomics Consortium, an international network of scientists led by the Center for Genomics ...

More at http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=118530&WT.mc_id=USNSF_51&WT.mc_ev=click

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