Open Res Eur 2026 Mar 12;6:75. doi: 10.12688/openreseurope.20681.1.

ERGA-BGE reference genome of Diadema setosum: the Black Longspine Urchin invading the Mediterranean sea.

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The Diadema setosum reference genome is important for understanding the species adaptation to the Mediterranean marine environment, where it has been newly introduced. The species is a Lessepsian migrant, gradually expanding to the eastern Mediterranean basin, driven by rising water temperature. Diadema setosum often dominates over native sea urchin species or coexists with them in rocky habitats. Sea urchins are environment-forming species, as they are intensive grazers responsible for habitat degradation and bottom erosion. A high-quality reference genome could provide valuable insights into the adaptive ability of D. setosum populations, supporting better monitoring and conservation efforts. Additionally, the genome will also contribute towards having a record of recently introduced populations to the Mediterranean, allowing researchers to track their evolution over time. A total of 22 contiguous chromosomal pseudomolecules were assembled from the genome sequence. This chromosome-level assembly encompasses 0.91 Gb, composed of 745 contigs and 101 scaffolds, with contig and scaffold N50 values of 2.2 Mb and 39.8 Mb, respectively.

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