A new Merluccius polli reference genome to investigate the effects of global change in West African waters

Genome resources have become crucial to assess genome-wide level of variation as well detect adaptive variation. This is particularly important for studying diversity in marine species inhabiting regions highly affected by accelerated climate warming and pollution, also known global change. A greater awareness the impacts change urgently needed ensure sustainable fisheries. Despite recent efforts, there are still many gaps fish reference genomes, both geographical taxonomic. Here, we sequence, assemble annotate genome Merluccius polli . The total length this new assembly (~582 Kb, N50 = 168Kb) approximately 40% longer much less fragmented than a previous version. Even though it might not be intrinsic species, low heterozygosity (1.16 SNPs/Kb) proportion repeat content (9.21%) was found genome. hake has wide latitudinal distribution; therefore, exposed changing temperature gradient variety contaminants part its distribution along West African coast. Special emphasis laid on identification characterization candidate genes respond different stressors (depth, temperature, hypoxia, heavy metals) happening distribution. 68 selected associated with responses these were current genome, their predicted sequence can considered full-length. Therefore, expected that would serve tool further investigations one most stressed planet.