Annotated genome and transcriptome of the endangered Caribbean mountainous star coral (Orbicella faveolata) using PacBio long-read sequencing

• DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10092-w
• Publication Date: 2024-02-29T16:02:29Z
• Authors: Benjamin D. Young; Olivia M. Williamson; Nicholas S. Kron; Natalia Andrade R...; Lys M. Isma; Nicholas J. MacKn...; Erinn M. Muller; Stephanie M. Rosales; Stephanie M. Siro...; Nikki Traylor-Kno...; Sara D. Williams; Michael S. Studivan
• Keywords: Sequence assembly; Cancer genome sequencing

Abstract Long-read sequencing is revolutionizing de-novo genome assemblies, with continued advancements making it more readily available for previously understudied, non-model organisms. Stony corals are one such example, long-read assemblies now starting to be publicly available, opening the door a wide array of ‘omics-based research. Here we present new assembly endangered Caribbean star coral, Orbicella faveolata , using PacBio circular consensus reads. Our improved contiguity (51 versus 1,933 contigs) and complete single copy BUSCO orthologs (93.6% 85.3%, database metazoa_odb10), compared currently reference generated short-read methodologies. assembled also showed comparable quality metrics other coral genomes. Telomeric repeat analysis identified putative chromosomes in our scaffolded assembly, these repeats at either one, or both ends, contigs. We 32,172 protein coding genes through use RNA (ISO-seq) additional O. fragments exposed range abiotic biotic treatments, RNA-seq data. With anthropogenic influences heavily affecting as well s increasing incorporation into reef restoration activities, this updated resource can used population genomics ‘omics analyses aid conservation species.