Chromosome-level genome assembly of the northern snakehead (Channa argus) using PacBio and Hi-C technologies

The evolutionary origins of specialized organs pose significant challenges for empirical studies, as most such organs evolved millions of years ago. The Northern snakehead (Channa argus), an air-breathing fish, possesses a suprabranchial organ, a common feature of the Anabantoidei, offering a unique opportunity to investigate the function and evolutionary origins of specialized organs. In this study, a high-quality chromosome-level reference genome of C. argus was constructed using PacBio HiFi sequencing and Hi-C technology. The final genome assembly size is 712.14 Mb, with a scaffold N50 of 28.08 Mb. The assembled sequences were anchored to 24 pseudo-chromosomes and predicted 21,643 protein-coding genes. The genome comprises 27.70% repetitive elements and includes 3,588 (98.6%) complete BUSCOs, demonstrating superior contiguity and functional completeness compared to other published C. argus assemblies. This genome provides valuable genetic resources for exploring the evolution of the aquatic-aerial bimodal breathing system, including clarifying the evolutionary histories and adaptive strategies.