Sequencing the genome of an early branching echinoderm; the crinoid Oxycomanthus japonicus

Echinoderms are an important model system for developmental biology, as they are closely related to chordates. A number of species of echinoderms also have remarkable abilities of regeneration, especially those of the crinoids. Crinoids also occupy an important evolutionary node; they are the earliest branching extant echinoderm. As such, we sequenced and assembled a crinoid genome, Oxycomanthus japonicus to compare to other available genomes.