The masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) acts as an intermediate host of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), which causes SARS, and transfers this virus from bats to humans. Additionally, Paguma larvata has the potential to carry a variety of zoonotic viruses that may threaten human health. However, genome resources for Paguma larvata have not been reported to date.
A chromosome-level genome assembly of Paguma larvata was generated using PacBio sequencing, Illumina sequencing, and Hi-C technology. The genome assembly was 2.44 Gb in size, of which 95.32% could be grouped into 22 pseudochromosomes, with contig N50 and scaffold N50 values of 12.97 Mb, respectively. A total of 21,582 protein-coding genes were predicted, and 95.20% of the predicted genes were functionally annotated. Phylogenetic analysis of 19 animal species confirmed the close genetic relationship between P. larvata and species belong to the Felidae family. Gene family clustering revealed 119 unique, 362 significantly expanded, and 58 significantly contracted genes in the P. larvata genome. We identified 971 positively selected genes in P. larvata, and one known human viral receptor gene PDGFRA is positively selected in P. larvata, which is required for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection.
This high-quality genome assembly provides a valuable genomic resource for exploring virus-host interactions. It will also provide a reliable reference for studying the genetic bases of the morphological characteristics, adaptive evolution, and evolutionary history of this species.