Abstract
The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), one of the largest terrestrial predators native to sub-Saharan Africa, is well known for its matriarchal social system and large-sized social group in which larger females dominate smaller males. Spotted hyenas are highly adaptable predators as they both actively hunt prey and scavenge kills by other predators, and possess an enhanced hypercarnivorous dentition that allows them to crack open bones and thereby feed on nearly all parts of a carcass. Here, we present a high-quality genome assembly of C. crocuta that was generated using a hybrid assembly strategy with Illumina multi-size libraries. A genome of about 2.3 Gb was generated with a scaffold N50 length of 7.2 Mb. More than 35.28% genome region was identified as repetitive elements, and 22,747 protein-coding genes were identified in the genome, with 97.45% of these annotated by databases. This high-quality genome will provide an opportunity to gain insight into the evolution of social behavior and social cognition in mammals, as well as for population genetics and metagenomics studies.
Highlights
Background & SummaryHyenas ( spelled “hyaena” in some parts of the world; Fig. 1) are among the most common large carnivores in Africa, with a widespread distribution occupying most of the habitats of the continent
Background & SummaryHyenas are among the most common large carnivores in Africa, with a widespread distribution occupying most of the habitats of the continent
A previous molecular systematics study suggested that hyaenids diverged from their feliform sister group 29.2 MYA, in the Middle Oligocene[1]
Summary
Hyenas ( spelled “hyaena” in some parts of the world; Fig. 1) are among the most common large carnivores in Africa, with a widespread distribution occupying most of the habitats of the continent. The spotted hyena is the largest member of this family and is known for its laughing call They are fairly large in build, with body weights up to 64 kg and 55 kg for females and males, respectively[2], and have relatively short torsos with lower hindquarters, and sloping backs. Adult spotted hyenas can generate powerful bite forces that are associated with their ability to capture prey with body sizes up three times larger than themselves and crush bones using their teeth[4]. The spotted hyena is a fascinating model species for studying the social behavior, evolution of sexual dimorphism, demography and genetic structure of a gregarious mammalian carnivore. We present the first draft genome of a male spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), which will offer opportunities for unraveling the evolutionary history, population genetics and genetic underpinnings of the unique biological features of this endlessly fascinating species
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
