A high-quality chromosome-level reference genome assembly of Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii)

Abstract

Abstract Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), a wild ruminant endemic to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) in China, has evolved a series of genetic and physiological adaptation strategies to thrive in the harsh plateau environments. However, limited research on the genome of this species exists. Here, we established a high-quality chromosome-level reference genome assembly of the Tibetan antelope using PacBio HiFi, DNBSEQ, and Hi-C sequencing data. The assembly, totaling 3.13 GB, consists of 31 chromosomes (29 + X + partial Y), with a Scaffold N50 length of 92.23 Mb. The quality value (QV) and Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Ortholog (BUSCO) score were 70.14 and 98.20%, respectively, indicating that our genome sequence is of high quality and completeness. Our genome not only contribute to the genetic conservation of Tibetan antelope but also provides a valuable resource for genetic, ecological, and evolutionary research within the sub-family Caprinae.