Understanding the genetic basis of phenotypic diversity is fundamental to evolutionary biology and selective breeding. The White Cloud Mountain minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) is a renowned ornamental fish, yet the genomic basis of its prized ornamental traits (e.g., golden body color and long-fin) remains poorly understood. Here, we present a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly for T. albonubes, which has a size of 1067.12 Mb with contig and scaffold N50 values of 5.65 Mb and 41.71 Mb, respectively. A total of 1036.50 Mb (97.13%) was anchored into 25 pseudo-chromosomes. The genome is highly repetitive (53.48% repetitive sequences) and encodes 24 121 protein-coding genes. Based on this reference genome and whole genome resequencing data of 126 individuals from four populations (one wild population, one native hatchery population, golden strain and long-fin strain), we revealed that the golden strain originated directly from the native hatchery stock, while the long-fin strain was derived from a distinct wild lineage. By integrating window-based pairwise F_ST scans with GWAS analysis, we demonstrated that the golden body color is a monogenic trait, with chrna2b on chromosome 15 as a prime candidate. In contrast, we found fin elongation is a polygenic trait and identified four candidate genes (mosmob, tbx18, vwa8, wnt6b) and the hedgehog signaling pathway underpinned this long-fin phenotype. Our study provides fundamental genomic resources and unveils the genetic architecture underlying two striking ornamental traits of T. albonubes, offering crucial insights for its further selective breeding and conservation.

The green odorous frog (Odorrana margaretae) represents an excellent model system for investigating the genetic basis of anuran skin secretions. Here, we report a chromosome-level genome assembly comprising 13 chromosomes with a total size of 6.20 Gb. Within this large genome, approximately 4.78 Gb (77.01%) consists of repetitive elements, with evidence of recent rapid expansions of DNA transposons and long terminal repeats (LTRs). Comparative gene family analyses identified 154 significantly expanded gene families in the green odorous frog, predominantly associated with innate immune functions. Targeted data mining revealed a diverse repertoire of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), characterized by a massive expansion of histone-derived AMP copies organized into large tandem clusters. Additionally, the genome harbors an extensive array of olfaction-related genes, including 1035 functional olfactory receptor (OR) genes, with notable expansions in the α and γ subfamilies responsible for detecting airborne odors; transposable elements (TEs) are significantly enriched in the flanking regions of these OR genes. The species also shows a signature of tandem duplication in trace amine-associated receptor 2 (TAAR2) genes. Collectively, these findings suggest enhanced capabilities in odor detection and chemical communication, likely linked to its skin secretions. This high-quality reference genome provides a foundation for future studies on the genetic regulation of potent skin secretions in this species and other amphibians.

Globally, the phylum Acidobacteriota is both extraordinarily widespread and abundant, playing indispensable roles in carbon, sulfur, and nutrient cycling. However, our comprehension is marked by a significant culture-based bias. Many of the newly reconstructed metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) represent uncultured lineages that remain substantially understudied, highlighting this gap. Concurrently, research on Acidobacteriota has been predominantly focused on soil environments, with a scarcity of studies in other environments. Here, we bridged this gap by compiling a genomic catalog of 4317 genomes. Protein content analysis, in conjunction with large-scale metabolic reconstructions, delineates seven genomic clusters of Acidobacteriota with unique metabolic profiles. Clusters 1 and 2 are soil-preferring, and clusters 3, 4, and 6 from various environments show diverse energy metabolism, including aerobic, facultatively anaerobic, anaerobic, and fermentative processes, and utilize a wide range of carbon substrates. Conversely, aquatic-preferring cluster 5 and cluster 7, derived from various environments, are strictly anaerobic, relying on nitrate/nitrite reduction or fermentation; also, cluster 5 has a limited carbon utilization range. Our analyses have also identified previously unrecognized roles in C1 metabolic pathways, the Calvin cycle, dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), and denitrification among the uncultured Acidobacteriota, indicating that Acidobacteriota represent overlooked important functions involved in methylotrophy, CO oxidation, carbon fixation, and nitrogen cycling. These findings provide new insights into the metabolic diversity of Acidobacteriota, emphasizing their functional importance across diverse taxa and environments, and significantly expanding our understanding of these dominant, yet understudied bacteria.

Sex chromosomes frequently undergo turnover through the recruitment of new sex-determining genes or translocation of ancestral genes. This phenomenon is particularly evident in Salix (Salicaceae). In Populus, the sister genus of Salix, a partial-ARR17-based sex-determination mechanism has been reported, and is also found in several Salix species. In Vetrix 15ZW clade I of Salix, species share a female heterogamety system on chromosome 15. A partial-PI (PISTILLATA)-based mechanism has been proposed for several species in this clade, except for Salix purpurea, which appears to use a two-gene model involving ARR17 and GATA15. To further investigate the evolution of sex-determining factors in this clade, we assembled a high-quality, haplotype-resolved genome of Salix integra, a close relative of S. purpurea. Based on resequencing data from males and females, we identified W and Z-linked regions located in pericentromeric regions on chromosome 15, consistent with those reported in other Salix species. Comparative analyses showed that S. integra possesses a partial-PI-based mechanism, supporting the hypothesis that PI sequences were recruited in the ancestor of 15ZW clade I, whereas the ancestor of S. purpurea recruited a two-gene model later. Together, these results advance our understanding of the relationship between sex-determining plasticity and sex chromosome evolution in plants.