Data from: A prelude to conservation genomics: First chromosome-level genome assembly of a flying squirrel (Pteromyini: Pteromys volans)

The Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans) represents the only
European Pteromyini species. Thus, it is biogeographically unique due to
its specialised anatomy and biology as a volant rodent. As a result of
habitat fragmentation and destruction, Siberian flying squirrels
experience severe and ongoing population declines throughout most of their
distribution. While considered Least Concern throughout their immense
Eurasian distribution, this species is red-listed as Vulnerable and even
Critically Endangered in parts of its range. More knowledge about the
population structure and overall biology is needed to improve conservation
efforts for this umbrella and flagship species of old-growth boreal
forests. Here, we present the first chromosome-level genome assembly of
any Pteromyini, represented by P. volans (Uoulu_pteVol_1.0). The final
assembly has a total length of 2.85 Gbp in 19 chromosome-scale scaffolds
with only minor differences in the chromosomal structure compared to other
Sciuridae. All chromosome-scale scaffolds show indications for telomeres
at both ends; the N50 value and BUSCO, as well as k-mer completeness
scores, are high with 157.39 Mbp and 97 – 99 %, respectively, indicating
chromosome-level quality of the assembly. Based on whole-genome data from
17 rodent species, P. volans clusters according to known evolutionary
relationships. Additionally, we present a new 16,511 bp long mitogenome
unveiling differences from known conspecific mitogenomes. We propose the
utility of the new reference genome for further research and development
of conservation-applied genetic methods.