Chromosome-level genome assembly of scalloped spiny lobster Panulirus homarus homarus.

Abstract

Lobsters, aquatic organisms of significant economic value, hold an important position in the global aquaculture and fisheries industries. However, due to overfishing and ecological change, the populations of certain lobster species have declined dramatically, prompting conservation efforts in various countries. However, limited genomics research has restricted our capacity to conserve and exploit lobster germplasm resources. Here, we present a chromosome-level reference genome for Panulirus homarus homarus constructed using PacBio long-read sequencing and Hi-C data. The genome assembly size was 2.61 Gb, with a contig N50 of 5.43 Mb, and a scaffold N50 of 36.69 Mb. The assembled sequences were anchored to 73 chromosomes, covering 96.05% of the total genome. A total of 25,580 protein-coding genes were predicted, and 99.98% of the genes were functionally annotated using various protein databases. The high-quality genome assembly provides a valuable resource for studying the biology and evolutionary history of P. h. homarus, and could facilitate sustainable resource management, aquaculture, and conservation of the species.