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Genome assembly and Full-length transcriptome of Malabar Red Snapper, Lutjanus malabaricus
Shubha Vij1,2, Nguyen Thanh Vu3, Kathiresan Purushothaman4,3,5
1School of Applied Science, Republic Polytechnic, 9 Woodlands Avenue 9, 738964, Singapore, Singapore. shubha_vij@rp.edu.sg.
Scientific Data
|August 12, 2026
Summary
The first high-quality genome assemblies for Malabar red snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus) were created, providing essential genomic resources. These assemblies will advance selective breeding and aquaculture for this important marine food fish.
Area of Science:
- Aquaculture Genomics
- Marine Biology
- Comparative Genomics
Background:
- The Malabar red snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus) is a valuable marine food fish with increasing economic and aquaculture significance in the Indo-Pacific.
- Limited genomic resources for L. malabaricus have hindered the use of genomic tools for its selective breeding and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate the first chromosome-level genome assemblies and full-length transcriptome for Lutjanus malabaricus.
- To establish a foundational genomic resource for L. malabaricus to support future research and aquaculture applications.
Main Methods:
- PacBio HiFi long-read sequencing and Hi-C scaffolding were employed to create high-quality genome assemblies.
- Genome annotation and comparative analyses between male and female assemblies were performed.
- Karyotyping was conducted to confirm chromosomal characteristics.
Main Results:
- High-quality genome assemblies (approx. 1.0 Gb) anchored to 24 chromosomes were generated for L. malabaricus, exhibiting high contiguity (N50 ≈ 42 Mb) and completeness (>99% BUSCO).
- Approximately 25,000 protein-coding genes were identified, with repeat sequences comprising nearly half the genome.
- Comparative analyses revealed strong chromosomal synteny and identified localized sex-associated regions, suggesting complex sex determination.
Conclusions:
- The generated genome assemblies and transcriptome provide a comprehensive molecular resource for L. malabaricus.
- These datasets will facilitate population genetics, comparative genomics, and the development of selective breeding programs for this economically important species.
