Pangolins (order Pholidota) Genome sequencing and assembly

Pangolins (order Pholidota), consisting of eight extant species, are the worlds most trafficked wild mammals. This places them under large extinction pressure. With only a few pangolin species having genomic data associated with them, we acquired and provide the full genome assemblies of five additional species to complete the genomic profile for Pholidota for its conservation. These species include: Manis crassicaudata (Indian pangolin), Manis culionensis (Philippine pangolin), Phataginus tetradactyla (black-bellied pangolin), Smutsia temminckii (Temminck's pangolin) and Smutsia gigantea (Giant pangolin). The latter species genome (Smutsia gigantea) is an annotated, full reference genome assembly based on hybrid short and long read sequencing which will be a pivotal reference for the Smutsia genus. These data were used in a publication to deepen our understanding of the evolution, demographic history and genomic diversity of all pangolin species as well as identify possible markers to aid in the forensic and conservation management endeavors for the order.