Chelydra serpentina Genome sequencing and assembly

Several characteristics make the common snapping turtle a particularly good model for turtle biology. The aim of this study was to assemble and annotate the first draft genome for the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), which is the most widespread and abundant species in the family Chelydridae. Draft genome and information of genomic resources will facilitate research on phenotypic plasticity/stability and evolution in turtles. The draft genome will also be useful for studying other ecologically important traits and characterizing population genomic variation. Such studies will provide insight into genetic adaptation to climate because the common snapping turtle ranges from tropical to sub-tropical to temperate zones within North America. The genome will be valuable for comparative studies with the other living Chelydridae, which are listed as vulnerable on the ICUN Red List (2017): Macrochelys temminckii in North America, Chelydra rossignoni in Central America, and Chelydra acutirostris in South America.多项特性使得普通鳄龟 (common snapping turtle) 成为龟类生物学研究的理想模型物种。本研究旨在组装并注释普通鳄龟（*Chelydra serpentina*）的首份草图基因组，该物种是鳄龟科（Chelydridae）中分布最广、种群丰度最高的物种。该草图基因组及配套基因组资源信息，将有力推动龟类表型可塑性/稳定性及演化相关研究；此外，该基因组还可用于探究其他生态重要性状，并解析种群基因组变异。由于普通鳄龟在北美境内的分布范围涵盖热带、亚热带至温带区域，此类研究将为理解其对气候的遗传适应性提供关键见解。该基因组还将为与其他现存鳄龟科物种的比较基因组学研究提供重要支撑，这些现存物种均被列入2017年世界自然保护联盟（IUCN）红色名录的易危等级，分别为北美大鳄龟（*Macrochelys temminckii*）、中美洲鳄龟（*Chelydra rossignoni*）以及南美鳄龟（*Chelydra acutirostris*）。