The Marine Biological Association (MBA) is delighted to announce the publication of the latest Southward Review in the Journal of the Marine Biological Association (JMBA). Written by leading evolutionary biologist Professor Peter Holland, the paper explores the question: Why sequence the genome of every species?
In this wide-ranging and thought-provoking article, Professor Holland highlights how genome sequencing is reshaping evolutionary biology. From tracing the origins of biodiversity to revealing the hidden relationships between species, this work demonstrates how cutting-edge science can transform our understanding of life in the ocean and on Earth.
c. Marine Biological Association
The article puts forward seven suggestions for how a wealth of high-quality animal genome sequences might accelerate evolutionary biology research, including:
- We don’t need super-detailed genomes just to trace family trees – basic genetic data is often enough to understand how species are related.
- Big, detailed genomes help us see differences within a species – this shows which genes help animals to adapt to their environment and survive.
- To understand big evolutionary changes between groups of animals, scientists need genomes from lots of species to see when new genes or features first appeared.
- We still don’t fully understand how mutations happen – more high-quality genomes from different species will help explain how DNA changes over time.
- Gene families are surprisingly changeable – genes can be duplicated or lost, creating new traits. Looking at many species’ genomes helps us to see how new body plans and abilities evolved.
- Evolution isn’t just about mutations and natural selection – other processes, such as certain biases in DNA inheritance, affect which genes become common. More genomes help us understand these patterns.
- The way genomes are organised can be amazing. Some chromosomes have stayed almost unchanged for hundreds of millions of years! Studying more species, especially marine animals, will uncover even more surprises.
Sequencing all of these genomes would not only deepen our scientific understanding but also strengthen conservation, climate resilience, and our ability to safeguard ocean ecosystems.
As the paper states: ‘The riches hidden in genomes are immense. There is excitement over the application of genomic data in conservation, fisheries, and aquaculture.”
What are the Southward Reviews?
The Southward Reviews are a prestigious series within the JMBA, established in honour of the renowned marine biologist Professor Alan Southward. Reviews are selected for their ability to provide clear, authoritative insights into key questions in marine biology, combining scholarly depth with wide relevance to the field.
Professor Holland’s review met this criteria by addressing a grand challenge for modern biology: building a genomic library of all species. Publication in the JMBA – one of the world’s longest-running marine science journals — underlines the global significance of this work. The Southward Reviews are touchstones for the marine biology community, offering thought leadership that shapes both research directions and public understanding.
Looking ahead
Professor Peter Holland will also deliver the MBA Annual Science Talk on Tuesday 2 December, offering audiences the chance to hear directly from the author about the ideas shaping the future of marine science. Tickets will be available from 29 October.
In memory of Dr Eve Southward
Dr Eve Southward (1930–2023) was a pioneering marine biologist whose research spanned hydrothermal vent fauna, oil spill impacts, and intertidal ecology. Alongside her husband, Professor Alan Southward, she helped lay the foundations for long-term climate change studies. Her passion, curiosity, and resilience left an enduring scientific legacy.
Read the paper: Holland P (2025) Why sequence the genome of every species? A view from evolutionary biology. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 105, e97, 1–10. https://doi.org/ 10.1017/S0025315425100556
