MaTrics Consortium

Mammalian Traits for Comparative Genomics

A new and uniquely structured matrix of mammalian phenotypes, MaTrics (Mammalian Traits for Comparative Genomics) is presented in a digital form. By focussing on mammalian species for which genome assemblies are available, MaTrics provides an interface between mammalogy and comparative genomics.

MaTrics was developed as part of a project to link phenotypic differences between mammals to differences in their genomes using Forward Genomics. Apart from genomes this approach requires information on homologous phenotypes that are numerically encoded (presence-absence; multistate character coding*) in a matrix. MaTrics provides these data, links them to at least one reference (e.g., literature, photographs, histological sections, CT-scans, or museum specimens) and makes them available in a machine actionable NEXUS-format. By making the data computer readable, MaTrics opens a new way for digitizing collections. Currently, MaTrics covers 147 mammalian species and includes 207 characters referring to structure, morphology, physiology, ecology and ethology. Researching these traits revealed substantial knowledge gaps, highlighting the need for substantial phenotyping efforts in the genomic era. Using the trait information documented in MaTrics, previous Forward Genomics screens identified changes in genes that are associated with various phenotypes, ranging from fully-aquatic lifestyle to dietary specializations. These results motivate the continuous expansion of phenotype information, both by filling research gaps or by adding additional taxa and traits. MaTrics is digitally available online within the data repository Morph·D·Base (www.morphdbase.de).

Kontakt: matrix.consortium@senckenberg.de

Logo Matrics
Logo Matrics
Logo Matrics

People

Senckenberg Naturhistorische Sammlungen Dresden,
Königsbrücker Landstraße 159, 01109 Dresden, Germany

Clara Stefen

Nadja Thier

Franziska Wagner

Heiko Stuckas

Marika Asztalos

 

Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science,
Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany

Peter Giere

Ulla Lächele

 

Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Frankfurt,
Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany

Irina Ruf

Rebecca Hofmann

Thomas Lehmann

 

Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research,
Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany

Sylvia Ortmann

Christian Schiffmann

Gabi Unterhitzenberger

 

Associated

Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics,
Pfotenhauerstr. 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany

Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems,
Nöthnitzer Str. 38, 01187 Dresden, Germany

Center for Systems Biology Dresden,
Pfotenhauerstr. 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany

LOEWE Center for Translational Biodiversity Genomics,
Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany

Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Frankfurt,
Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany

Goethe-University, Faculty of Biosciences,
Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany

Michael Hiller

 

Responsible for implementation in Morph D Base

TIB Leibniz Information Centre for Science and Technology,
Welfengarten 1B, 30167 Hannover, Germany

Lars Vogt

Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig,
Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Peter Grobe

How to cite

1 Senckenberg Naturhistorische Sammlungen Dresden,
Königsbrücker Landstraße 159, 01109 Dresden, Germany

2 Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science,
Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany

3 Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig,
Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany

4 Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics,
Pfotenhauerstr. 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany

5 Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems,
Nöthnitzer Str. 38, 01187 Dresden, Germany

6 Center for Systems Biology Dresden,
Pfotenhauerstr. 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany

7 LOEWE Center for Translational Biodiversity Genomics,
Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany

8 Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Frankfurt,
Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany

9 Goethe-University, Faculty of Biosciences,
Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany

10 Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research,
Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany

11 TIB Leibniz Information Centre for Science and Technology,
Welfengarten 1B, 30167 Hannover, Germany

12 TU Dresden, Institut für Allgemeine Psychologie, Biopsychologie und Methoden der Psychologie,
Raum BZW A317, 01062 Dresden