Abstract
The big-headed turtle, Platysternon megacephalum, as the sole member of the monotypic family Platysternidae, has a number of distinct characteristics including an extra-large head, long tail, flat carapace, and a preference for low water temperature environments. We performed whole genome sequencing, assembly, and gene annotation of an adult male big-headed turtle based on the Illumina HiSeq X genomic sequencing platform. We generated ~497.1 Gb of raw sequencing data (×208.9 depth) and produced a draft genome with a total length of 2.32 Gb and contig and scaffold N50 sizes of 41.8 kb and 7.22 Mb, respectively. We also identified 924 Mb (39.84%) of repetitive sequences, 25,995 protein-coding genes, and 19,177 non-coding RNAs. We generated the first de novo genome of the big-headed turtle; these data will be essential to the further understanding and exploration of the genomic innovations and molecular mechanisms contributing to its unique morphology and physiological features.
Highlights
Background & SummaryThe big-headed turtle, Platysternon megacephalum (NCBI Taxonomy ID: 55544), as the sole member of the family Platysternidae, is native to Southeast Asian countries, including China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar Thailand and Vietnam1
The species prefers its body temperature to be around 25.3 °C5
The Asian turtle crisis has resulted in population declines in many species, including the big-headed turtle
Summary
The big-headed turtle, Platysternon megacephalum (NCBI Taxonomy ID: 55544), as the sole member of the family Platysternidae, is native to Southeast Asian countries, including China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar Thailand and Vietnam. The species inhabits flowing cool rocky mountain streams with water temperatures usually between 12–28 °C2. Its head width is approximately equal to half of its carapace width and cannot be retracted into the shell This species has the longest tail relative to body size of any turtle, with tail length being more than half of the carapace length. This species has the longest tail relative to body size of any turtle, with tail length being more than half of the carapace length4 It has a very flat carapace and an eagle-like hooked upper jaw (Fig. 1). The Asian turtle crisis has resulted in population declines in many species, including the big-headed turtle. The genomic resource of the big-headed turtle will be a key tool in the study of conservation genetics for this species
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
