Patterns of genome size diversity in the ray-finned fishes

The ray-finned fishes make up about half of all vertebrate diversity and are by far the best represented group in the Animal Genome Size Database. However, they have traditionally been the least well investigated among vertebrates in terms of patterns and consequences of genome size diversity. This article synthesizes and expands upon existing information about genome size diversity in ray-finned fishes. Specifically, compiled data from the Animal Genome Size Database and FishBase are used to examine the potential patterns of interspecific genome size variability according to ecology, environment, morphology, growth, physiology, reproduction, longevity, and taxonomic diversity. Polyploidy and haploid genome sizes are considered separately, revealing differences in their respective consequences. This represents the most comprehensive summary of fish genome size diversity presented to date, and highlights areas of particular interest to investigate as more data become available.