A chromosome-level genome assembly of Macrobrachium hainanense

Macrobrachium hainanense, an anadromous crustacean species within the genus Macrobrachium, is predominantly distributed along the southern coasts of China. This species is regarded as an important economic prawn. However, overfishing and breeding difficulties have caused a severe decline in the natural population of M. hainanense. Genomic data can provide valuable insights into the species genetic basis and evolutionary adaptations, thereby supporting its sustainable development and utilization. In this study, we generated a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly of M. hainanense by combining PacBio HiFi sequencing and Hi-C technologies. This genome assembly, with assembled size of 4.3 Gb and a scaffold N50 of 87.0 Mb, was successfully anchored to 51 chromosomes. 51 centromeres and 97 telomeres were identified from 51 chromosome sequences. The BUSCO analysis revealed 93.8% completeness and 92.2% single-copy genes. A total of 46,945 protein-coding genes were annotated. This genome assembly provides a valuable resource for understanding the genetic makeup of M. hainanense, and it will aid in future breeding programs and hybridization studies.