Hypoxia adaptation in deep-diving cetaceans (PRJCA027942)
Deep-diving cetaceans have a greater tolerance for acute hypoxia than their terrestrial ancestors and shallow-diving counterparts. To investigate the genetic basis for this ability, we generated a de novo genome assembly for the deep-diving pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) and included genomes from 12 cetacean species, encompassing two additional deep-diving cetaceans, in a comparative analysis. Additionally, we sequenced and compared the single-nucleus data from the muscle and heart of the pygmy sperm whale and its terrestrial relative Bos taurus.