ORG.one project - Betta persephone: Pioneering Genome Assembly of Malaysia's Endangered Peat Swamp Fish (Betta persephone): A Conservation Genomics Approach

Rapid sequencing of the critically endangered Betta persephone as part of the ORG.one project https://org.one/oo. Betta persephone is an endangered freshwater fish endemic to Malaysia's Ayer Hitam Peat Swamp Forest. As a peat swamp inhabitant, this species possesses unique adaptations for survival in highly acidic and hypoxic waters. This project presents the first genome sequencing of B. persephone using Oxford Nanopore Technologies' PromethION 2 Solo platform for long-read sequencing. The genome was sequenced from DNA extracted from ocular tissue of a B. persephone specimen. This genomic resource will provide crucial insights into the species' evolutionary adaptations to acidic, hypoxic peat swamp environments and support conservation efforts for this threatened species. The genome data will enable comparative genomic analyses with other Betta species and facilitate the development of conservation strategies. This work marks a significant advance in understanding the genetic basis of adaptation in acidic-water fish species and will contribute to the preservation of Malaysia's unique aquatic biodiversity.