Eurosta solidaginis genome assembly
This study aims to assemble and annotate the genome of Eurosta solidaginis, the goldenrod gall fly, renowned for its remarkable adaptation to extremely cold environments. The larvae, hidden in galls, endure winter temperatures as low as -60 degrees Celsius. The resulting genome assembly and annotation will be an invaluable resource for future research. E. solidaginis plays a significant role in multitrophic ecological interactions. By producing a high-quality genome assembly and annotation, this project seeks to uncover the genetic basis of an important phenotype: gall size. E. solidaginis, which induces galls in goldenrods with high variations in size, serves as a classic model for studying stabilizing selection in natural populations. Small galls face elevated predation risk from the parasitoid Eurytoma gigantea in summer, while large galls are more susceptible to avian predation in winter from species such as chickadees and woodpeckers, leading to fitness fluctuations with seasonal changes. The genome assembly and annotation will help to provide valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying cold tolerance and quantitative trait evolution.