February 15, 2014 (Vol. 34, No. 4)
URL:
http://hymenopteragenome.org/ant_genomes
Rating:
Strong Points: Browsable and downloadable genomes
Weak Points: Not much information on wiki page
Summary:
Ants are quickly becoming stars of genetic research, with their interesting and varied social behaviors, ease of maintenance in the lab, and sequenced genomes. The Ant Genomes Portal—part of the Hymenoptera Genome Database (HGD) project—is a great website that provides researchers with access to the seven sequenced ant genomes. The colorful cast of characters whose genomes have been sequenced includes a fungus eating ant, a leaf cutter ant, a Florida carpenter ant, Jerdon’s jumping ant, an Argentine ant, a red harvester ant, and a fire ant. The website includes genome browsers for each of these species, as well as an in-page BLAST search. Each genome assembly is available for download. In addition, the website contains a link to an Ant Genomes Wiki page, although the wiki does not yet contain much information.
