The genome sequence of the dark-edged bee fly, Bombylius major (Linnaeus, 1758)

Mara K N Lawniczak1, Liam M Crowley2, Erica McAlister3

  • 1Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, England, UK.

Wellcome Open Research
|March 27, 2024
PubMed

Insights

We present the genome assembly for Bombylius major, the dark-edged bee fly. This research provides a foundational genomic resource for Diptera, including 10,852 protein-coding genes.

Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Arthropoda
  • Insecta
  • Diptera

Background:

  • The Bombyliidae family, commonly known as bee flies, represents a diverse group of insects with significant ecological roles.
  • Understanding the genetic makeup of Bombylius major is crucial for evolutionary and ecological studies within Diptera.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To generate a high-quality genome assembly for an individual male Bombylius major.
  • To provide a foundational genomic resource for the Bombyliidae family and the order Diptera.

Main Methods:

  • Whole-genome sequencing of an individual male Bombylius major.
  • Scaffolding the genome assembly into chromosomal pseudomolecules, including sex chromosomes.
  • Assembly and annotation of the mitochondrial genome.
  • Gene annotation using the Ensembl platform.

Main Results:

  • A genome assembly spanning 304.3 megabases was generated.
  • The assembly is organized into 7 chromosomal pseudomolecules, encompassing the X and Y sex chromosomes.
  • The mitochondrial genome was assembled to a length of 17.8 kilobases.
  • A total of 10,852 protein-coding genes were identified through annotation.

Conclusions:

  • This study delivers a comprehensive genome assembly for Bombylius major, a significant contribution to insect genomics.
  • The annotated genome provides a valuable resource for future research into the evolution, behavior, and ecology of bee flies and related Diptera species.