This page provides an up to the minute summary of data currently available in the database. Parameters reported include minimum and maximum reported genomes sizes (in picograms), mean genomes sizes with standard error (SE), total number of species assayed, and the methods, cell types, and standards used for all available records. Note that the statistics reported here are based on all records in the database -- for maximum reliability, you are encouraged to evaluate the data for your particular group of interest directly. Note also that these C-value summaries do not currently account for instances of polyploidy (though this will be updated in the future).
Because these statistics refer to the database as a whole, they must be cited as follows if used in a publication:
- Gregory, T.R. (2005). Animal Genome Size Database. http://www.genomesize.com.
Please select your group of interest from the list:
- Entire Database (i.e., all animals)
- All Chordates | Amphibians | Birds | Fishes | Mammals | Reptiles
- All Invertebrates | Annelids | Arachnids | Crustaceans | Echinoderms | Flatworms | Insects | Molluscs | Nematodes
- Methods, Cell Types, and Standard Species
(Other invertebrate groups are insufficiently represented for summary stats)
Reptiles
| Number of reptiles: | 320 |
| Smallest reptile genome size: | 1.05pg, Chalcides mionecton, Skink |
| Largest reptile genome size: | 5.44pg, Testudo graeca, Greek tortoise |
| Mean for reptiles: | 2.24pg ± 0.04 |
Lizards
| Number of lizards: | 173 |
| Smallest lizard genome size: | 1.05pg, Chalcides mionecton, Skink |
| Largest lizard genome size: | 3.93pg, Cordylus cataphractus, Armadillo lizard |
| Mean for lizards: | 2.12pg ± 0.04 |
Snakes
| Number of snakes: | 92 |
| Smallest snake genome size: | 1.30pg, Echis carinatus, Saw-scaled viper |
| Largest snake genome size: | 3.80pg, Natrix natrix, European grass snake |
| Mean for snakes: | 2.08pg ± 0.05 |
Turtles
| Number of turtles: | 45 |
| Smallest turtle genome size: | 1.79pg, Pelomedusa subrufa, Cape terrapin |
| Largest turtle genome size: | 5.44pg, Testudo graeca, Greek tortoise |
| Mean for turtles: | 2.87pg ± 0.11 |
Crocodiles
| Number of crocodilians: | 5 |
| Smallest crocodilian genome size: | 2.49pg, Alligator mississippiensis, American alligator |
| Largest crocodilian genome size: | 3.95pg, Crocodylus niloticus, Nile crocodile |
| Mean for crocodilians: | 3.11pg ± 0.24 |
Comments:
- Reptile genome sizes are generally intermediate between those of birds and mammals.
- Positive correlation with red blood cell and nucleus sizes (Olmo and Odierna 1982; Olmo 1983; Gregory 2001a).
- No correlation with developmental rate (Olmo 2003).
- No correlation with longevity at the species level, but a positive relationship apparent at the suborder level (Olmo 2003). However, note that this latter test had very little statistical power.
- No clear relationship with metabolic rate (Olmo 2003).
- Polyploidy is known in some reptiles (Gregory and Mable 2005).
- Click here for the reptile data page
Summary of Methods, Cell Types, and Standard Species for Reptiles
Methods (code)
| Feulgen Densitometry (FD) | 135 | 32.30% |
| Feulgen Image Analysis Densitometry (FIA) | 1 | 0.24% |
| Flow Cytometry (FCM) | 103 | 24.64% |
| Not Specified (NS) | 2 | 0.48% |
| Static Cell Fluorometry (SCF) | 177 | 42.34% |
Cell Types (code)
| Not specified (NS) | 1 | 0.24% |
| Red blood cells (RBC) | 417 | 99.76% |
Standard Species (code, C-value)
| Bufo fowleri (BF, 5.10pg) | 27 | 5.72% |
| Bufo ictericus (BI, 2.90pg) | 12 | 2.54% |
| Cyprinus carpio (CP, 1.70pg) | 1 | 0.21% |
| Gallus domesticus (GD, 1.25pg) | 20 | 4.24% |
| Homo sapiens (HS, 3.50pg) | 234 | 49.58% |
| Not specified | 6 | 1.27% |
| Oncorhynchus mykiss (OM, 2.60pg) | 7 | 1.48% |
| Podarcus sicula (PS, 2.20pg) | 82 | 17.37% |
| Rana pipiens (RP, 6.70pg) | 21 | 4.45% |
| Rana temporaria (RT, 4.30pg) | 25 | 5.30% |
| Various | 18 | 3.81% |
| Xenopus laevis (XL, 3.15pg) | 19 | 4.03% |