Chromosomal-level genome assembly of Ichthyurus bourgeoisi Gestro using PacBio HiFi and Hi-C sequencing

Abstract Ichthyurus bourgeoisi Gestro is a representative species of the tribe Ichthyurini within the beetle family Cantharidae. This tribe is particularly noteworthy because of its brachelytrous characteristics. However, the lack of high-quality genomic resources hinders our understanding of the evolution and ecological adaptions associated with this beetle group. In this study, we present a chromosome-level genome assembly for I. bourgeoisi constructed using a combination of PacBio HiFi and Hi-C sequencing data. The genome spans 664.72 Mb, with a scaffold N50 of 98.12 Mb, and is organized into seven pseudo-chromosomes, including a chromosome X validated through analyses of genome collinearity and sequencing depth. Repeat sequences account for 65.35% of the genome, and 13,386 protein-coding genes are identified. The high-quality genome assembly and annotation has been corroborated by multiple metrics, including genome size, reads mapping rate, and BUSCO completeness (98.6%). This comprehensive genomic resource provides a foundation for elucidating the ecological adaption of I. bourgeoisi and advancing our understanding of morphological evolution in Ichthyurini within Cantharidae.