The genome of a vestimentiferan tubeworm (Ridgeia piscesae) provides insights into its adaptation to a deep-sea environment

AbstractVestimentifera (Polychaeta, Siboglinidae) is a taxon of deep-sea worm-like animals living in the deep-sea hydrothermal vent and cold seep areas. The morphology and lifespan of Ridgeia piscesae, which is the only vestimentiferan tubeworm species found in the hydrothermal vents on the Juan de Fuca Ridge, vary greatly according to the endemic environments. Recent analyses have revealed the genomic basis of adaptation in three vent- and seep-dwelling vestimentiferan tubeworms. However, the evolutionary history and mechanism of adaptation in R. piscesae, a unique species in the family Siboglinidae, is remained to be investigated. Here we report a high-quality genome of R. piscesae collected at Cathedral vent of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that that the high growth rates of vent-dwelling tubeworms might derive from small genome size. The small genome sizes of these tubeworms are attributed to the repeat content but not the number of genes and intron sizes. Additionally, four genes involved in cell proliferation were subject to positive selection in the genome of R. piscesae, suggesting that, besides apoptosis, cell proliferation is important for regulating growth rate in this species.