Genome Sequence and Annotation of Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) and Malayan Pangolin (Manis javanica)

Pangolins are one of the most endangered groups of mammals in the world, due to illegal trade and habitat loss. Here we present genome sequence of two pangolin species - Malayan pangolin Manis javanica and Chinese pangolin Manis pentadactyla. Chinese pangolin DNA was derived from a single female animal, sample ID MPE899, collected in Taiwan. Malayan pangolin DNA was derived from a female pangolin from the Department of Wildlife and National Park Malaysia.

Sequenced with Illumina HiSeq, draft genomes of Chinese and Malayan pangolins was assembled with SOAPdenovo and SGA assemblers, respectively. For Chinese pangolin, N50 was 119 kbp, and estimated genome size 2.7 Gbp. For Malayan one N50 was 205 kbp, and genome size 2.5 Gbp.

Using transcriptomic data from Manis javanica, we predicted and annotates genes in genomes of interest using Maker pipeline. Obtained set of genes and CDS regions now intesively studied, and can serve as a valuable resourse for pangolin biology and conservation studies.
Results of the project and another pangolin-related information will be available on the web-site of the International Pangolin Research Consortium: http://pangolin.um.edu.my/