Genome assembly of the muskrat <i>Ondatra zibethicus</i>

The muskrat (<i>Ondatra zibethicus</i>) is a semi-aquatic rodent native to North America, with populations also present in Europe, Asia, and South America. This species is notable for its exceptional adaptability to various wetland habitats, including marshes, rivers, and lakes. Muskrats possess distinctive physical features, including a robust body measuring between 20 and 35 cm, a long, laterally flattened tail, and webbed hind feet that facilitate efficient swimming, with an average weight ranging from 0.6 to 2 kg. Ecologically, muskrats play a crucial role as herbivores and as a food source for other animals. Their diet primarily consists of aquatic vegetation. They construct lodges and extensive burrow systems that provide shelter and breeding sites, which are marked by their pheromones. Furthermore, muskrats have economic importance in the fur industry, contributing to the livelihoods of rural communities. <br>We present a publicly available genome assembly of the muskrat <i>Ondatra zibethicus</i>, with 583.4 Gb (~235 fold coverage) of sequence data. The complete assembly spans 2.5 Gb, with contig N50 of 60.5 Mb and scaffold N50 of 90.7 Mb anchored onto 28 chromosomes. The BUSCO analysis indicates a completeness of 96.89% (QV 44.48).