Highlights d Chromosome-level assembly and methylome of the largest gymnosperm genome so far d Continuous expansion and slow removal of transposons cause conifer huge genome d Large genes with ultra-long introns tend to be expressed at higher levels d Distinctive reproductive evolutionary trajectory compared to angiosperms

Highlights d Six high-quality ixodid tick genomes and 678 re-sequenced tick specimens d Insights into the genetic basis of tick hematophagy and related phenotypes d Population structure and genetic diversity of six tick species d Tick-borne pathogen composition and distribution by metagenome analyses

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a lepidopteran insect pest that causes huge economic losses. This notorious insect pest has rapidly spread over the world in the past few years. However, the mechanisms of rapid dispersal are not well understood. Here, we report a chromosome-level assembled genome of the fall armyworm, named the ZJ-version, using PacBio and Hi-C technology. The sequenced individual was a female collected from the Zhejiang province of China and had high heterozygosity. The assembled genome size of ZJ-version was 486 Mb, containing 361 contigs with an N50 of 1.13 Mb. Hi-C scaffolding further assembled the genome into 31 chromosomes and a portion of W chromosome, representing 97.4% of all contigs and resulted in a chromosome-level genome with scaffold N50 of 16.3 Mb. The sex chromosomes were identified by genome resequencing of a single male pupa and a single female pupa. About 28% of the genome was annotated as repeat sequences, and 22,623 protein-coding genes were identified. Comparative genomics revealed the expansion of the detoxification-associated gene families, chemoreception-associated gene families, nutrition metabolism and transport system gene families in the fall armyworm. Transcriptomic and phylogenetic analyses focused on these gene families revealed the potential roles of the genes in polyphagia and invasion of fall armyworm. The high-quality of the fall armyworm genome provides an important genomic resource for further explorations of the mechanisms of polyphagia and insecticide resistance, as well as for pest management of fall armyworm. K E Y W O R D S chromosome-level genome, comparative genomics, fall armyworm, insecticide resistance, polyphagia | 1051 XIAO et Al.

Cannabis sativa is a well-known plant species that has great economic and ecological significance. An incomplete genome of cloned C. sativa was obtained by using SOAPdenovo software in 2011. To further explore the utilization of this plant resource, we generated an updated draft genome sequence for wild-type varieties of C. sativa in China using PacBio single-molecule sequencing and Hi-C technology. Our assembled genome is approximately 808 Mb, with scaffold and contig N50 sizes of 83.00 Mb and 513.57 kb, respectively. Repetitive elements account for 74.75% of the genome. A total of 38,828 protein-coding genes were annotated, 98.20% of which were functionally annotated. We provide the first comprehensive de novo genome of wild-type varieties of C. sativa distributed in Tibet, China. Due to long-term growth in the wild environment, these varieties exhibit higher heterozygosity and contain more genetic information. This genetic resource is of great value for future investigations of cannabinoid metabolic pathways and will aid in promoting the commercial production of C. sativa and the effective utilization of cannabinoids. The assembled genome is also a valuable resource for intensively and effectively investigating the C. sativa genome further in the future.

Panax notoginseng , a perennial herb of the genus Panax in the family Araliaceae, has played an important role in clinical treatment in China for thousands of years because of its extensive pharmacological effects. Here, we report a high-quality reference genome of P. notoginseng , with a genome size up to 2.66 Gb and a contig N50 of 1.12 Mb, produced with third-generation PacBio sequencing technology. This is the first chromosome-level genome assembly for the genus Panax . Through genome evolution analysis, we explored phylogenetic and whole-genome duplication events and examined their impact on saponin biosynthesis. We performed a detailed transcriptional analysis of P. notoginseng and explored gene-level mechanisms that regulate the formation of characteristic tubercles. Next, we studied the biosynthesis and regulation of saponins at temporal and spatial levels. We combined multi-omics data to identify genes that encode key enzymes in the P. notoginseng terpenoid biosynthetic pathway. Finally, we identified five glycosyltransferase genes whose products catalyzed the formation of different ginsenosides in P. notoginseng . The genetic information obtained in this study provides a resource for further exploration of the growth characteristics, cultivation, breeding, and saponin biosynthesis of P. notoginseng .