A Chromosome-level reference genome for the red legged partridge (Alectoris rufa)

Abstract

The red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) is a species of significant ecological and economic importance, particularly in southwestern Europe, where it is a key game bird for hunting and rural economies. Despite its prominence, wild populations are declining due to habitat degradation and hunting pressure, leading to increased reliance on farm-reared partridges to meet hunting demands. Despite previous efforts, achieving a high-quality, chromosome-level genome assembly has remained challenging.