Haplotype resolved chromosome-level genome assembly of the gold barb (Barbodes semifasciolatus)
The gold barb (Barbodes semifasciolatus), a member of the Cyprinidae family, exhibits remarkable adaptability to highly acidic environments, making it an ideal model for studying extreme environmental adaptation. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying this resilience remain largely unexplored. To address this, we assembled a high-quality chromosome-scale genome for B. semifasciolatus using high-fidelity (HiFi) sequencing and Hi-C technology. The resulting haplotype-resolved assemblies, spanning 776 Mb and 779 Mb across 25 chromosomes, achieved genome coverages of 99.5% and 99.7%, respectively, and included four gap-free chromosomes. Genome quality assessment using BUSCO indicated a high completeness score of 98.3%, further validated by strong synteny with the zebrafish (Danio rerio), confirming the assembly's integrity and continuity. Through integration of full-length transcriptome data, RNA sequencing, and homology-based annotation, we identified 26,057 protein-coding genes and 2,087 pseudogenes. This high-resolution genome provides an essential resource for cyprinid research, offering critical insights into the molecular basis of acid tolerance and facilitating future studies on adaptive evolution in extreme environments.