New high-quality genome assembly and annotation for the imperiled Loammi skipper butterfly (Atrytonopsis loammi)

The Loammi skipper (Atrytonopsis loammi: Hesperiidae) is an imperiled butterfly that occurs in wet to dry prairies and mesic pine flatwoods and specializes on a single known host plant, lopsided Indiangrass (Sorghastrum secundum). The species once occurred throughout the southeastern US, but it is currently known from only a few disjunct populations in Florida. While most Atrytonopsis are univoltine, including the closely related dusted skipper (Atrytonopsis hianna), the Loammi skipper is bivoltine with flights in spring and summer-fall. Despite this distinction and wing pattern differences, some authors consider A. loammi to be a subspecies of the more widespread but allopatric A. hianna. Habitat loss, fire suppression, and host plant specialization have likely contributed to significant declines over the past century, leading to state-listing as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need. However, relatively little research effort has been focused on the butterfly, and there are currently no peer-reviewed publications that include genetic data for the species. Taxonomic uncertainty combined with imperiled status and lack of genetic studies make A. loammi an important subject for genomic research. Here we report a high-quality genome assembly and annotation produced using PacBio HiFi long-read sequencing. We give special attention to genes that may be associated with habitat preference and climate sensitivity. The genomic data produced in this study will fill critical data gaps, aiding future research and informing conservation efforts for this species, while establishing a research protocol that can be applied in conservation genomic research for other imperiled lepidopteran taxa.