We hope everyone had a great 2019! We certainly did, with 114 chromosome-length genome assemblies shared with the scientific and conservation communities. Bringing this one more up just before the year ends, we share today the genome assembly for the pygmy marmoset Cebuella pygmaea, the smallest monkey and one of the smallest primates in the world [1]. As always, we are excited to share our assemblies and data without any restrictions!
Pygmy marmoset is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. The biggest threats to the species are habitat loss and the pet trade [2].
This genome assembly was generated using blood samples donated by two siblings, Bjorn and Teek, from the Houston Zoo. This is a $1K model genome assembly (see Dudchenko et al., 2018 for details). See below the whole genome alignment plot comparing the new genome to the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) genome assembly, generated by the WashU team here.
We look forward to welcoming the iron rat year with some rodent assemblies, so stay tuned. And happy assembling in 2020!