Cryptic complexity captured: the Nematostella genome reveals its secrets

Abstract

The full genomic sequence of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis, which is the first full genomic sequence for a representative of the Phylum Cnidaria, has recently been published, providing some surprising findings and a unique perspective on the evolution of animal genomes. Major conclusions are that, in gene number, composition and intron/exon structure, the anemone is more similar to vertebrates than are flies and nematodes and that this shared complexity must therefore be very ancient.