An annotated chromosome-scale reference genome for Eastern Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe melanoleuca)

Pervasive convergent evolution and in part high incidences of hybridization distinguish wheatears (songbirds of the genus Oenanthe) as a versatile system to address questions at the forefront of research on the molecular bases of phenotypic and species diversification. To prepare the genomic resources for this venture, we here generated and annotated a chromosome-scale assembly of the Eastern Black-eared Wheatear (O. melanoleuca). This species is part of the O. hispanica-complex that is characterized by convergent evolution of plumage coloration and high rates of hybridization. The long-read-based male nuclear genome assembly comprises 1.04 Gb in 32 autosomes, the Z chromosome, and the mitogenome. The assembly is highly contiguous (contig N50: 12.6 Mb; scaffold N50: 70 Mb), with 96% of the genome assembled at chromosome level and 96% BUSCO completeness. The nuclear genome was annotated with 18160 protein-coding genes and 30730 mRNAs, and about 10% of the genome consists of repetitive DNA. The annotated chromosome-scale reference genome of Eastern Black-eared Wheatear provides a crucial resource for research into the genomics of adaptation and speciation in an intriguing group of passerines.