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Title: Telomere-to-telomere reference genome of the common five-lined skink, Plestiodon fasciatus (Squamata: Scincidae)
Abstract Although the publication of high-quality reference genomes is steadily increasing, many clades remain chronically neglected. Skinks (order, Squamata; family, Scincidae) are one of the most diverse lizard families (1,785 species), yet there are currently just six published chromosome-level skink genomes. Here, we present the first telomere-to-telomere, chromosome-level reference genome for one of the most abundant lizards in the eastern United States, the common five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus). Through the sequencing of RNA, long-read DNA, and Hi-C chromatin interactions, we produced an annotated reference genome (N50 = 227MB, L50 = 3) consisting of 6 macrochromosome pairs and 7 microchromosome pairs with 98% of BUSCO genes represented (lineage, Sauropsida; 7480 BUSCO markers), providing one of the most complete skink genomes to date: rPleFas1.1. Functional annotation predicts 32,520 protein-coding genes (16,100 unique, named genes) with an average gene length of 9,372 bp. Repeat annotations estimate that transposable elements comprise 46.7% of the genome, for which we show the amount and content is remarkably conserved across Scincidae.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2029955
PAR ID:
10660435
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ;
Editor(s):
Tarvin, R
Publisher / Repository:
Oxford Academic
Date Published:
Journal Name:
G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics
ISSN:
2160-1836
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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