# A Nanopore-Only Assembly of a Nuclear and Mitochondrial Genome of a Red Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum piceus)

## TL;DR

Researchers assembled the genome of a red coachwhip snake using portable sequencing technology, showing how mobile labs can support biodiversity studies.

## Contribution

A fully nanopore-based, chromosome-level genome assembly of a red coachwhip snake, demonstrating decentralized genomics.

## Key findings

- A 1.61 Gb nuclear genome with 8 macrochromosomes and 10 microchromosomes was assembled with 97.7% completeness.
- The mitochondrial genome was assembled and annotated with 13 coding genes, 22 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs.
- Genomic sequencing and analysis were conducted in a simulated mobile lab using portable equipment.

## Abstract

We report a chromosome-level assembly of a male red coachwhip snake (Masticophis flagellum piceus) generated exclusively with nanopore sequencing. Using Hifiasm-ONT for assembly and RagTag for scaffold polishing, we produced a 1.61 Gb nuclear genome comprising 8 macrochromosomes and 10 microchromosomes with a 97.7% BUSCO completeness score. Annotation with LiftOn found 19,832 loci, including 18,025 protein-coding genes. The mitochondrial genome, assembled with MitoHiFi and annotated with MitoFinder, was 17,119 bp with 13 coding genes, 22 tRNAs and 2 rRNAs. All sequencing was performed in a simulated mobile laboratory using a portable sequencer and a laptop with analyses done both locally and remotely. These results highlight the feasibility of decentralized genomics and its potential to accelerate biodiversity research globally.