# Metagenome-assembled genome of withering syndrome causative agent, “Candidatus Xenohaliotis californiensis,“ from endangered white abalone (Haliotis sorenseni)

## TL;DR

Scientists assembled the genome of a pathogen causing withering syndrome in endangered white abalone, enabling future studies on its evolution and interactions.

## Contribution

The first high-quality metagenome-assembled genome of the withering syndrome pathogen is presented.

## Key findings

- A 91% complete genome of 'Candidatus Xenohaliotis californiensis' was assembled with low contamination.
- The genome enables tracking pathogen evolution and studying interactions with phage.

## Abstract

The genome of “Candidatus Xenohaliotis californiensis” was assembled from shotgun metagenomic sequencing of experimentally infected white abalone. Ninety-one percent genome completeness was achieved with low contamination. Sequencing this genome provides the opportunity to track pathogen evolution over time, conduct gene expression experiments, and study dynamics between this pathogen and its phage.