Gomez-Garrido, J., Cruz, F., Alioto, S.T., Feiner, N., Uller, T., Gut, M., Sanchez Escudero, I., Tavecchia, G., Rotger, A., Otalora Acevedo, K., and Baldo, L., 2023 Chromosome-level genome assembly of Lilford’s wall lizard, Podarcis lilfordi (Günther, 1874) from the Balearic Islands (Spain), DNA Research, https://doi.org/10.1093/dnares/dsad008
Abstract: The Mediterranean lizard Podarcis lilfordi is an emblematic species of the Balearic Islands. The extensive phenotypic diversity among extant isolated populations makes the species a great insular model system for eco-evolutionary studies, as well as a challenging target for conservation management plans. Here we report the first high quality chromosome-level assembly and annotation of the P. lilfordi genome, along with its mitogenome, based on a mixed sequencing strategy (10X Genomics linked reads, Oxford Nanopore Technologies long reads and Hi-C scaffolding) coupled with extensive transcriptomic data (Illumina and PacBio).
The genome assembly (1.5 Gb) is highly contiguous (N50 =
90 Mb) and complete, with 99% of the sequence assigned to candidate
chromosomal sequences and >97% gene completeness. We annotated a
total of 25,663 protein-coding genes translating into 38,615 proteins.
Comparison to the genome of the related species Podarcis muralis
revealed substantial similarity in genome size, annotation metrics,
repeat content, and a strong collinearity, despite their evolutionary
distance (~18-20 MYA). This genome expands the repertoire of available
reptilian genomes and will facilitate the exploration of the molecular
and evolutionary processes underlying the extraordinary phenotypic
diversity of this insular species, while providing a critical resource
for conservation genomics.
