An improved chromosome-level genome assembly of a deep-sea limpet (Bathyacmaea lactea)

Cold seeps are unique and important deep-sea ecosystems characterized by chemosynthesis. The deep-sea limpet Bathyacmaea lactea is an endemic and ecologically important species inhabiting these extreme environments, representing an ideal model for studying adaptation and evolution in cold seeps. To provide a high-quality genomic resource for this purpose, we therefore report a high-quality chromosome-level genome for B. lactea, combining PacBio, Illumina, and high-resolution chromosome conformation capture techniques. The assembly spans 769.80 Mb, with contig and scaffold N50 values of 1.27 Mb and 82.05 Mb, respectively, and ultimately yielded 10 chromosome sequences. BUSCO assessment revealed a completeness score of 96.90%, indicating a high-quality genome assembly. Gene annotations showed a high level of accuracy and completeness, with 21,122 predicted protein-coding genes. As the first chromosome-level genome of the deep-sea limpet, it complements a previously reported contig-level assembly. By anchoring the genome to the chromosome level, this assembly offers a more complete and structured genomic resource, facilitating future studies on the evolution and adaptation of cold-seep animals.