Scientists Sequence Genome of Trapdoor Spider Named After Stephen Colbert, Revealing Evolutionary Clues
Scientists have successfully sequenced the genome of *Aptostichus stephencolberti*, a trapdoor spider named after comedian Stephen Colbert. This spider, roughly the size of a quarter, possesses a genome containing billions of base pairs, which is more DNA than a human. The research, led by Jason Bond from UC Davis, found that approximately 77% of the spider's DNA consists of repeated sequences. The study also revealed that, unlike many other animals, this spider and other checked spider species lack a specific five-letter telomere repeat at the ends of their chromosomes, suggesting its disappearance in an early spider ancestor. The genome sequencing is part of the California Conservation Genomics Project, a state-funded initiative aimed at gathering genetic data for conservation efforts. The female trapdoor spiders spend their entire lives underground in silk-lined burrows, making them vulnerable to habitat changes.
