Title
A Reference Genome For The Nectar-Robbing Black-Throated Flowerpiercer (Diglossa Brunneiventris)
Author ORCID Identifier
Faircloth, Brant: 0000-0002-1943-0217
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-1-2021
Abstract
Black-throated Flowerpiercers (Diglossa brunneiventris) are one species representing a phenotypically specialized group of tanagers (Thraupidae) that have hooked bills which allow them to feed by stealing nectar from the base of flowers. Members of the genus are widely distributed in montane regions from Mexico to northern Argentina, and previous studies of Diglossa have focused on their systematics, phylogenetics, and interesting natural history. Despite numerous studies of species within the genus, no genome assembly exists to represent these nectivorous tanagers. We described the assembly of a genome sequence representing a museum-vouchered, wild, female D. brunneiventris collected in Peru. By combining Pacific Biosciences Sequel long-read technology with 10x linked-read and reference-based scaffolding, we produced a 1.08 Gbp pseudochromosomal assembly including 600 scaffolds with a scaffold N50 of 67.3 Mbp, a scaffold L50 of 6, and a BUSCO completeness score of 95%. This new assembly improves representation of the diverse species that comprise the tanagers, improves on scaffold lengths and contiguity when compared to existing genomic resources for tanagers, and provides another avenue of research into the genetic basis of adaptations common to a nectivorous lifestyle among vertebrates.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
G3-Genes Genomes Genetics
Recommended Citation
Hiller, A. E., Brumfield, R. T., & Faircloth, B. C. (2021). A Reference Genome For The Nectar-Robbing Black-Throated Flowerpiercer (Diglossa Brunneiventris). G3-Genes Genomes Genetics, NOV (11) https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkab271