The genome sequence of the common adder, Vipera berus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Area of Science:

• Genomics
• Herpetology
• Evolutionary Biology

Background:

• The common adder (Vipera berus) is a widespread Eurasian viper species.
• High-quality genome assemblies are crucial for understanding reptilian genetics and evolution.
• Previous genomic resources for Vipera berus were limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To generate a high-quality, haplotype-resolved genome assembly for Vipera berus.
• To provide a reference genome that meets the Earth Biogenome Project standards.
• To facilitate future research into the genetics, evolution, and conservation of the common adder.

Main Methods:

• Whole-genome sequencing of an individual female Vipera berus.
• Haplotype phasing to distinguish between maternal and paternal chromosomes.
• Scaffolding of assembled sequences into chromosomal pseudomolecules.
• Assessment of assembly quality against the Earth Biogenome Project standards.

Main Results:

• A haplotype-resolved genome assembly with two haplotypes of 1,695.0 Mb and 1,476.7 Mb was generated.
• Haplotype 1 was highly contiguous, with 98.45% scaffolded into 19 chromosomal pseudomolecules, meeting the 6.C.Q52 reference standard.
• The mitochondrial genome was also assembled, measuring 17.35 kb.
• Haplotype 2 was assembled to scaffold level.

Conclusions:

• The generated Vipera berus genome assembly represents a significant improvement in genomic resources for this species.
• This high-quality reference genome will support comparative genomics, evolutionary studies, and conservation strategies for vipers.
• The assembly provides a foundation for future functional genomic studies in Vipera berus.