ERGA-BGE reference genome of Lewinskya acuminata, a common epiphytic Mediterranean moss with disjunct populations in California and Ethiopia

TL;DR

This paper presents the first detailed genome of a Mediterranean moss, enabling new studies on its evolution and ecology.

Contribution

The novel contribution is the chromosome-level genome assembly of Lewinskya acuminata, a key moss species.

Findings

The genome was assembled into 6 chromosomal pseudomolecules, 1 mitochondrial, and 2 plastid genomes.

The assembly has a total size of 0.25 Gb with high contig and scaffold N50 values.

This reference genome will support phylogenomic and biogeographic studies in bryophytes.

Abstract

The reference genome of
Lewinskya acuminata (H. Philib.) F. Lara, Garilleti & Goffinet will enable phylogenomic, biogeographic, and evolutionary studies within the
Orthotrichaceae and related bryophyte lineages at a depth previously inaccessible. This species of moss is among the most representative of the Mediterranean epiphytic communities and can be readily identified by its long-acuminate leaves, fusiform capsules with a vestigial exostome, a well-developed endostome of six broad segments, and a dark, puckered peristome mouth when dry. The entirety of the genome sequence was assembled into 6 contiguous chromosomal pseudomolecules, 1 mitochondrial genome, and 2 plastid genomes. This chromosome-level assembly encompasses 0.25 Gb, composed of 51 contigs and 13 scaffolds, with contig and scaffold N50 values of 11.5 Mb and 40.8 Mb, respectively.

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