Ultraconserved Elements (UCEs) are highly conserved genomic regions which are flanked by more divergent sequences.

These key areas have been identified and exploited as ideal target capture candidates for phylogenetic research on novel and non-model species, as many genomic regions are shared across large taxonomic ranges. Sets of UCE loci have been identified for various taxonomic groups, including vertebrates, insects, and many more. Daicel Arbor Biosciences offers a number of popular UCE panels as readily stocked kits available for immediate shipment at lower per-reaction costs.

• Predesigned – Designed by experts and ready for immediate use

• Proven results – Ever expanding list of peer-reviewed publications

• Analysis pipelines – Simple, user-friendly data analysis

• Cost-effective – Use one bait set across multiple distantly-related taxa

Kit Specs

Available Panels

Vertebrates

UCEs: Tetrapods 5K version 1

UCEs: Tetrapods 2.5K version 1

UCEs: Acanthomorph/Percomorph Fishes 1K version 1

UCEs: Ostariophysan Fishes 2.7K version 1 - NEW!

UCEs: Ray-finned Fish (Actinopterygians) 0.5K version 1

Invertebrates

UCEs: Arachnida 1.1K version 1

UCEs: Spider 2K version 1

UCEs: Insect Coleoptera 1.1K version 1

UCEs: Insect Diptera 2.7K version 1

UCEs: Insect Hemiptera 2.7K version 1

UCEs: Insect Hymenoptera 2.5K version 2, Principal

UCEs: Insect Hymenoptera 2.5K version 2, Ant-Specific

UCEs: Insect Hymenoptera 2.5K version 2, Ant-Bee-Specific

UCEs: Insect Hymenoptera 1.5K version 1

UCEs: Insect Lepidoptera 1.3Kv1

APPLICATIONS

• Phylogenetics

• Population genetics

• Tree of life

• Flanking zone capture

Figure 1. Example alignment of a 120bp UCE locus from the Tetrapods 5K baitset compared to the region containing the top BLAST hit in genomes of chicken (Gallus gallus), human, mouse (Mus musculus), and frog (Xenopus laevis. Individual bases are colored by degree of similarity between sequences (dark = high, light = low). The central 120bp UCE region is strongly conserved across all taxa, whereas immediate flanking regions are more divergent.

Featured Publications

J. Starrett et al. (2017). High phylogenetic utility of an ultraconserved element probe set designed for Arachnida. Molecular Ecology Resources

J.E. McCormack et al. (2016). Sequence capture of ultraconserved elements from bird museum specimens. Molecular Ecology Resources

B.C. Faircloth et al. (2015). Target enrichment of ultraconserved elements from arthropods provides a genomic perspective on relationships among Hymenoptera. Molecular Ecology Resources

B.C. Faircloth et al. (2012). Ultraconserved Elements Anchor Thousands of Genetic Markers Spanning Multiple Evolutionary Timescales. Systematic Biology