Chromosome Evolution and Genome Reconstruction in Falcon Species

Falcons and falconry have become an essential part of life in the Middle East since

Firstly, successful conventional characterization of the Saker, Peregrine and Gyr falcon karyotypes (2n=50-52) was achieved producing improved karyotypes and ideograms than those previously published. Comparative genomic analyses among these three species using molecular cytogenetic approaches revealed differences between Peregrine and the other two species, but none between Saker falcon and Gyrfalcon. Also, this study has supported upgrading the fragmented Saker genome assembly to chromosome level using a novel approach hitherto only published for the Peregrine falcon (and pigeon).

This thesis also provided an overview of the telomeric DNA profile in the three species of interest. It established that the highly rearranged karyotypes studied (plus those of the budgerigar and crocodile) do not appear to possess interstitial telomeres at evolutionary fusion points. Also, this study demonstrated the existence of megatelomeres in falcon species, their nature differing between the Peregrine and the other two species studied.

Overall, results presented in this thesis provide significant insight into genome

organization and evolution in the Falco genus, revealing previously undetected levels of chromosomal synteny between three species important to the UAE. Results generated here have also made a significant contribution to the chromosome-level genome assembly of the Saker falcon, providing tools for further study of avian species both within and beyond the falcon group.