Conclusions
Our study highlights the utility of the hybrid assembly strategy using
Illumina and ONT at recovering high quality genome assemblies,
especially regarding contiguity and completeness. Comparative genomics
analyses identified candidate genes under selection to have played a
major role in the adaptation of the Procellariiformes to a pelagic
lifestyle such as changes in sensory perception, navigation, natriuresis
and physiological adaptations. Regarding the phylogeny of
Procellariiformes, our results gave full support to recent genomic based
hypotheses in which albatrosses (Diomedeidae) are sister to the rest of
Procellariiformes, storm petrels are paraphyletic and diving petrels are
included within Procellariidae. The high-quality genome presented in
this work will be a great tool for future population genomic analyses,
that will reveal with more precision the genetic variability of the
species, its recent demographic history and the potential introgression
with its sister species, the Mediterranean shearwater (P.
yelkouan ). The data obtained will be of great help in future proposals
of conservation and management plans for the species.