A high-quality, chromosome-level reference genome for the white-lipped deer (Przewalskium albirostris) has been constructed using PacBio and Hi-C sequencing data. The assembly totals 2.99 GB and comprises 34 chromosomes. Researchers identified 21909 protein coding genes, annotating 21859 of them using egapx software.
The white-lipped deer is uniquely adapted to the extreme climates of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This deer is the sole species in its genus and faces threats from poaching and habitat loss. The new genome assembly will significantly contribute to understanding the deer's adaptation mechanisms.
Third-generation sequencing technologies were utilized to overcome limitations of previous genome assemblies. This provides valuable resources for future research on the molecular mechanisms of adaptation in deer to extreme environments. It facilitates studies on gene expression patterns, identifying genetic variations associated with adaptation, and exploring the evolutionary history of adaptations.