Genome sequence for the thick topshell, Phorcus lineatus (da Costa, 1778)

Area of Science:

• Genomics
• Marine Biology
• Molluscan Research

Background:

• The thick topshell (Phorcus lineatus) is a marine gastropod with ecological significance.
• Genomic resources for many molluscan species, including P. lineatus, are limited.
• Understanding gastropod genomes is crucial for evolutionary and conservation studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To generate a high-quality genome assembly for Phorcus lineatus.
• To provide a foundational genomic resource for the species and related mollusks.
• To facilitate future research in gastropod evolution, population genetics, and conservation.

Main Methods:

• Whole-genome sequencing of an individual Phorcus lineatus.
• Bioinformatic analysis for genome assembly and scaffolding.
• Mitochondrial genome assembly.

Main Results:

• A genome assembly of 958 megabases was generated.
• 99.9% of the assembly is organized into 18 chromosomal pseudomolecules.
• The mitochondrial genome was assembled and is 19.1 kilobases in length.

Conclusions:

• The P. lineatus genome assembly represents a significant advancement in molluscan genomics.
• This resource will enable detailed evolutionary analyses and comparative genomics within Gastropoda.
• The availability of this genome will support conservation efforts for marine gastropods.