Genomes of raccoon dogs provide new insights into its invasiveness, dispersal and coevolution with viruses and parasites

In this study, we assembled a chromosome scale genome of the raccoon dog collected from Heilongjiang, China. We explored possible genetic mechanisms of their high adaptive characteristics by screening expanded and contracted genes and comparative genomic analysis. Further, we identified several genes mutations that are highly correlated with the fur color, hair density, and body weight. This study will sure provide useful and valuable information in the management of wild raccoon population and the breeding of high quality individuals.