Draft genome of the endangered visayan spotted deer (Rusa alfredi), a Philippine endemic species

The Visayan Spotted Deer (VSD), or <i>Rusa alfredi</i>, is an endangered and endemic species in the Philippines. Despite its status, genomic information on <i>R. alfredi</i>, and the genus <i>Rusa</i> in general, is missing. This study presents the first draft genome assembly of the VSD using the Illumina short-read sequencing technology. The resulting RusAlf_1.1 assembly has a 2.52 Gb total length, with a contig N50 of 46 Kb and scaffold N50 size of 75 Mb. The assembly has a BUSCO complete score of 95.5%, demonstrating the genome's completeness, and includes the annotation of 24,531 genes. Our phylogenetic analysis based on single-copy orthologs revealed a close evolutionary relationship between <i>R. alfredi</i> and the genus <i>Cervus</i>. RusAlf_1.1 represents a significant advancement in our understanding of the VSD. It opens opportunities for further research in population genetics and evolutionary biology, potentially contributing to more effective conservation and management strategies for this endangered species.