A chromosome-level genome assembly of the mountain lion, Puma concolor

TL;DR

This paper presents a high-quality, chromosome-level genome assembly for the mountain lion, which will help in managing the species in fragmented habitats.

Contribution

The study provides a new, high-quality chromosome-level reference genome for Puma concolor.

Findings

The genome assembly has a total length of 2.5 Gb with a scaffold N50 of 149.8 Mb.

The BUSCO completeness score is 95%, indicating high quality.

The assembly will aid in genomic analyses for conservation management.

Abstract

Mountain lions, Puma concolor, are widespread and adaptable carnivores. However, due to their large home ranges and long distance dispersals, they are strongly impacted by habitat fragmentation, which results in small and isolated populations. Genomic analyses play an important role in understanding and predicting the impacts of increased isolation of populations, such as decreased genetic diversity and increased levels of inbreeding. Here we report a high-quality, chromosome-level reference genome of P. concolor that was generated as part of the California Conservation Genomics Project. The primary assembly has a total length of 2.5 Gb contained in 258 scaffolds, a contig N50 of 42.3 Mb, a scaffold N50 of 149.8 Mb, and a BUSCO completeness score of 95%. This P. concolor genome assembly will provide an important resource for genomic analyses that aid decision-makers in managing the species in fragmented landscapes.

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