The chromosome-scale genome assembly of the reef-building coral Platygyra daedalea

Abstract The genus Platygyra represents an essential group of reef-building corals in marine ecosystems. Here, we present the first high-quality genome assembly of the brain coral Platygyra daedalea , a widespread species known for its ecological resilience across diverse marine environments. Using long-read sequencing combined with chromosomal-level scaffolding based on a genetic linkage map, we assembled an 878.6 Mb genome with a contig N50 of 34.8 Mb. A total of 99.78% of the assembly was anchored into 16 linkage groups, with only eight contigs remaining unplaced. Annotation identified 30,395 protein-coding genes. This reference genome provides a critical resource for understanding coral biology, aiding conservation efforts, and exploring adaptive potential under climate change.