Genome assembly reveals high synteny in Elaphe species, indicating evolutionary insights and conservation pathways.
The genus Elaphe Fitzinger, a large species clade within Colubridae, comprises 18 non-venomous snake species. Among them, Elaphe taeniura serves as a representative species due to its wide distribution and strong adaptability. However, genomic studies on this group remain limited. Here, we present a chromosome-level, high-quality reference genome for this species. The genome is assembled by integrating high-accuracy PacBio HiFi long-read sequencing and Hi-C chromatin conformation capture technologies and comprehensively annotated with the aid of transcriptomic data. The genome of E. taeniura spans 1.62 Gb, with a scaffold N50 of 206.4 Mb and the longest scaffold reaching 344.4 Mb. The genome exhibits a BUSCO completeness score of 98.2% and contains 22,246 protein-coding genes. Comparative analysis between the assembled genome and three other colubrid species revealed high synteny. In addition, several chromosomal fusion and fission events were observed. This reference genome provides a valuable resource for studying the taxonomy, conservation, and evolutionary history of the widely distributed Elaphe species.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Chen et al. (2025) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: