# 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.

## Key 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.