# The genome sequence of the Little Owl, Athene noctua (Scopoli, 1769) (Strigiformes: Strigidae)

## TL;DR

This paper presents the genome sequence of the Little Owl, providing detailed genetic information for this bird species.

## Contribution

The study provides a high-quality genome assembly of the Little Owl, including haplotype and mitochondrial data.

## Key findings

- The genome assembly includes two haplotypes with lengths of 1,355.86 and 1,302.38 megabases.
- Haplotype 1 is scaffolded into 41 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome.
- The mitochondrial genome is 18.17 kilobases long and was also assembled.

## Abstract

We present a genome assembly from an individual male
Athene noctua (Little Owl; Chordata; Aves; Strigiformes; Strigidae). The assembly contains two haplotypes with total lengths of 1 355.86 megabases and 1 302.38 megabases. Most of haplotype 1 (91.82%) is scaffolded into 41 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. Haplotype 2 was assembled to scaffold level. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled, with a length of 18.17 kilobases. This assembly was generated as part of the Darwin Tree of Life project, which produces reference genomes for eukaryotic species found in Britain and Ireland.