Copsychus sechellarum (Seychelles magpie-robin) genome, bCopSec1, sequence data
The Seychelles magpie-robin (Copsychus sechellarum) is a medium-sized endangered bird from the granitic Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. Today, there are established populations of Seychelles magpie-robins on all five islands. As of 2012, the total population was 244-248 birds and the IUCN has downlisted its status from Critically Endangered to Endangered. However, a recent genetic study reported extremely low genetic diversity across the islands, calling for continued genetic monitoring of the populations (from Wikipedia entry). This sample was procured in Denis Island, Seychelles by Emily Cavill and Eric Blais to generate a high-quality reference genome for the Vertebrate Genomes Project (VGP). Sequencing and genome assembly were conducted at the Vertebrate Genome Lab (VGL) at the Rockefeller University, led by Erich D. Jarvis, Giulio Formenti, and Jennifer Balacco.