Chromosomal-level reference genome assembly of muskox (Ovibos moschatus) from Banks Island in the Canadian Arctic, a resource for conservation genomics

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Infection by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is among the factors contributing to the decline of the Banks Island muskox population.

“Among the factors contributing to this decline include infection by a new bacterial pathogen Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae”

• cites [22] Kutz, S. et al. Cross-Canada disease report—Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae associated with recent widespread muskox mortalities in the Canadian Arctic. Can. Vet. J. 56, 560–563 (2015).Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites [23] Forde, T. L. et al. Bacterial genomics reveal the complex epidemiology of an emerging pathogen in Arctic and Boreal Ungulates. Front. Micol. 7(11), 1759 (2016). sourcePartly supported

  The Introduction links E. rhusiopathiae septicemia to acute muskox deaths on Banks Island and reports a population decline. It says the extent to which those deaths contributed to the decline is unknown, although high adult mortality likely had a population-level impact. The citing sentence presents that contribution as established rather than likely. (LLM, conf=0.88)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Muskox lungworms are expanding their range.

“the range expansion of muskox lungworms”

• Also stated in: § Introduction · plain

  “the expanding range of muskox lungworms24–26”

• cites [24] Kutz, S. J. et al. Invasion, establishment, and range expansion of two parasitic nematodes in the Canadian Arctic. Glob. Change Biol. 19, 3254–3262 (2013). sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites [25] Okulewicz, A. The impact of global climatic change on the spread of nematodes. Ann. Parasitol. 63(1), 15–20 (2017). sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites [26] Kafle, P. et al. Range expansion of muskox lungworms track rapid arctic warming: Implications of geographic colonization under climate forcing. Sci. Rep. 10, 17323 (2020). sourceSupported

May combine two claims.

The long-read muskox assembly has a more complete representation of coding genes, isoforms of these genes, and elucidation of their genomic organization than previous short-read assemblies.

“The ability of long reads to span repetitive sequences and other difficult regions of the genome38 has enabled the present assembly to have a more complete representation of the coding genes, isoforms of these genes, and the elucidation of their genomic organization.”

• cites [38] Warburton, P. E. & Sebra, R. P. Long-read DNA sequencing: Recent advances and remaining challenges. Annu. Rev. Genom. Hum. Genet. 24, 109–132 (2023). sourceSupported

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Six of the 55 muskox populations reported in 2020 are in decline, including the population on Banks Island.

“of the 55 muskox populations reported in 202019, six are in decline, including the population on Banks Island”

• cites [19] Cuyler, C. et al. Muskox status, recent variation, and uncertain future. Ambio 49, 805–819 (2020). sourceSupported
• cites [21] Gunn, A. et al. The history, status and management of the muskoxen on Banks Island. Arctic 44(3), 188–195 (1991). sourceCould not verify

  The Population Numbers section reports that Banks Island muskoxen increased through 1989; it does not address their status in 2020. Searches for the 55-population count and a current Banks Island decline found no relevant passage, so this copy cannot verify the claim. (LLM, conf=0.78)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

May combine two claims.

The muskox underwent multiple population bottlenecks, which have resulted in contemporary populations having very low genetic diversity.

“the muskox underwent multiple population bottlenecks, which have resulted in contemporary populations having very low genetic diversity9,28–30”

• cites [9] Hansen, C. C. R. et al. The muskox lost a substantial part of its genetic diversity on its long road to Greenland. Curr. Biol. 28, 4022–2028 (2018). sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites [28] Holm, L.-E. et al. Low genetic variation in muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) from western greenland using microsatellites. Mol. Ecol. 8, 675–679 (1999). sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites [29] MacPhee, R. D. E. et al. Late quaternary loss of genetic diversity in muskox (Ovibos). BMC Evol. Biol. 5, 49 (2005). sourcePartly supported

  The Background reports extremely low genetic diversity in living muskoxen, and the Conclusion states that they were more genetically diverse in the late Pleistocene. But the Background offers a prolonged period of small effective population size or one or more recent bottlenecks as alternatives; it does not establish multiple bottlenecks as the cause. Page numbers are not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites [30] Groves, C. P. Interspecific variation in mitochondrial DNA of muskoxen, based on control-region sequences. Can. J. Zool. 75(4), 568–575 (2011). sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

The Banks Island muskox population was the largest in Canada in the 1990s but has suffered a 70% decline since 2000.

“The population on Banks Island was the largest in Canada in the 1990s but has suffered a 70% decline since 2000.”

• cites [21] Gunn, A. et al. The history, status and management of the muskoxen on Banks Island. Arctic 44(3), 188–195 (1991). sourcePartly supported

  The Introduction describes the Banks Island population as almost a third of the world's muskoxen, and Population Numbers reports an estimate of 34,225 in 1989, supporting its prominence around the start of the 1990s. The paper was published in 1991 and provides no evidence for a 70% decline since 2000. (LLM, conf=0.88)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Large herbivores are particularly at risk from climate change.

“Large herbivores are particularly at risk36.”

• cites [36] Atwood, T. B. Herbivores at the highest risk of extinction among, bird, and reptiles. Sci. Adv. 6, eabb9458 (2020). sourcePartly supported

  The Discussion (page unavailable) says declines and extinctions disproportionately affect large herbivores, supporting the printed sentence’s statement that they are particularly at risk. The claim’s added qualification, “from climate change,” is not established: the Results examine climate change among several threats but do not identify it as the particular reason large herbivores are at risk. (LLM, conf=0.88)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2023 climate models predict a mean global increase between 1.4 and 4.4 °C by 2100 with a disproportionate effect in the Arctic.

“The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2023 climate models predict a mean global increase between 1.4 and 4.4 °C by 210035 with a disproportionate effect in the Arctic.”

• cites [35] IPCC Summary for Policymakers. In: Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (eds Core Writing Team, H. Lee & J. Romero) 1–34 (IPCC). https://doi.org/10.59327/IPCC/AR6-9789291691647.001. sourcePartly supported

  Section B.1.1 (under 2.2, Figure 2.4; page unavailable) gives best estimates of 1.4°C and 4.4°C for global warming in 2081–2100 under the very-low and very-high emissions scenarios, respectively. These are scenario-specific estimates, not the bounds of a single prediction. The passages found do not establish that projected warming is disproportionately greater in the Arctic. (LLM, conf=0.86)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

May combine two claims.

Muskox genetic diversity is lower than that of the Tasmanian devil and the cheetah.

“Muskox genetic diversity is lower than two mammalian species under threat that have undergo recent genetic bottlenecks, the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)66 and the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)67.”

• cites [66] Morris, K. et al. Low major histocompatibility complex diversity in the Tasmanian devil predates European settlement and may explain susceptibility to disease epidemics. Bio. Lett. 9, 20120900 (2012). sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites [67] Dobrynin, P. S. et al. Genomic legacy of the African cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus. Genome Biol. 16(1), 277 (2015). sourcePartly supported

  The Background and Results describe the cheetah’s severely reduced genetic diversity, and the Results identify past population bottlenecks. The paper does not compare cheetah diversity with muskox diversity, so it does not establish that muskox diversity is lower. The Tasmanian devil has a separate citation in the citing sentence. (LLM, conf=0.84)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Genetic diversity in the MHC impacts wildlife health and conservation.

“Genetic diversity in the MHC is believed to impact wildlife health and conservation128–131.”

• cites [128] Sommer, S. The importance of immune gene variability (MHC) in evolutionary ecology and conservation. Front. Zool. 2, 16 (2005). sourceSupported
• cites [129] Radwan, J. et al. Does reduced MHC diversity decrease viability of vertebrate population?. Biol. Conserv. 143, 537–544 (2010). sourceSupported
• cites [130] Ujvari, B. & Belov, K. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) markers in conservation biology. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 12, 5168–5186 (2011). sourceSupported
• cites [131] Coker, O. M. et al. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) diversity and its implications for human and wildlife health and conservation. Genet. Biodivers. J. 7(2), 1–11 (2023). sourceSupported

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

High-quality reference genome assemblies are increasingly recognized as an important foundation of conservation genomics.

“High-quality reference genome assemblies are increasingly recognized as an important foundation of conservation genomics84–91.”

• cites [84] Khan, S. et al. Overview on the role of advance genomics in the conservation biology of endangered species. Int. J. Genom. 2016, 3460416 (2016). sourcePartly supported

  The Introduction and Section 3 describe genome sequencing and genomic approaches as increasingly useful for conserving endangered species. They do not specifically identify high-quality reference genome assemblies as a foundation of conservation genomics or discuss assembly quality. (LLM, conf=0.83)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites [85] Colella, J. P. et al. Conservation genomics in a changing Arctic. Trends Ecol. Evol. 35(2), 149–162 (2020). sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites [86] Wright, B. R. et al. A demonstration of conservation genomics for threatened species management. Mol. Ecol. Resour. 20(6), 1526–1541 (2020). sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites [87] Theissinger, K. et al. How genomics can help biodiversity conservation. Trends Genet. 39(7), 545–559 (2023). sourceSupported
• cites [88] Brandies, P. E. et al. The value of reference genomes in the conservation of threatened species. Genes 10(11), 846 (2019). sourceSupported
• cites [89] Formenti, G. et al. The era of reference genomes in conservation genomics. Trends Ecol. Evol. 37(3), 197–202 (2022). sourceSupported
• cites [90] Hohenlohe, P. A. et al. Population genomics for wildlife conservation and management. Mol. Ecol. 30(1), 62–82 (2021). sourcePartly supported

  The Introduction (‘Applications to wildlife’; page not provided) says reference genome assemblies are increasingly available and enable analyses that would otherwise be impossible. ‘Approaches in population genomics’ calls their contribution integral to a genomics study. The paper supports their importance, but these passages do not specifically address the claim’s high-quality qualifier. (LLM, conf=0.82)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites [91] Paez, S. et al. Reference genomes for conservation. Science 37(6604), 364–366 (2022). sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

Undercounting of genes by BUSCO was exemplified by the wolverine genome assembly and by the human reference genome GRCh38.p14, where 369 BUSCO genes were called as fragmented or missing despite being annotated as complete and experimentally verified.

“Undercounting of genes by BUSCO was exemplified by our recent genome assembly for the wolverine60 and by the current build of the gold standard human reference genome, GRCh38.p14, where 369 BUSCO genes were called as fragmented or missing (Fig. 2), despite those genes being annotated by the NCBI Genome Data Viewer as complete and experimentally verified.”

• cites [60] Lok, S. et al. Chromosomal-level reference genome assembly of the North American wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus): A resource for conservation genomics. Genes Genomes Genet. 12(8), jkac138 (2022). sourceSupported

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Variants of keratin and keratin-associated protein genes have been shown to associate with wool quality and are potential selection markers for livestock improvements.

“Importantly, variants of these genes have been shown to associate with wool quality, and are potential selection markers for livestock improvements164–167.”

• cites [164] Li, S. et al. Variation in the ovine KAP6-3 gene (KRTAP6-3) is associated with variation in mean fibre diameter-associated wool traits. Genes 8, 204 (2017). sourceSupported
• cites [165] Sulayman, A. et al. Association analysis of polymorphisms in six keratin genes with wool traits in sheep. Asian Australas. J. Anim. Sci. 31(6), 775–783 (2018). sourceSupported
• cites [166] Kalds, P. et al. Genetics of the phenotypic evolution in sheep: A molecular look at diversity-driving genes. Genet. Sel. Evol. 54, 61 (2022). sourcePartly supported

  The main text (§ Genetic aspects of other phenotypic traits; page unavailable) says KAP-family genes influence sheep wool quality, and the References list studies associating KAP and keratin-gene variants with wool traits. The main text discusses potential molecular markers for FGF5, but does not identify keratin or KAP variants as potential selection markers for livestock improvement. (LLM, conf=0.83)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites [167] Zhang, W. et al. Whole-genome resequencing reveal selection signal related to sheep wool fitness. Animals 13, 2944 (2023). sourcePartly supported

  The Introduction (page not provided) reports a mutant KRT74 linked to finer wool and says KAP genes may affect wool fineness. The Discussion §4.2 (page not provided) relates KRT and KAP expression to finer wool, but does not establish KAP variants as associated with wool quality or identify variants of these genes as selection markers for livestock improvement. (LLM, conf=0.83)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

Arctic conservation management can be complex with intersecting and conflicting environmental, cultural and socioeconomic issues.

“Arctic conservation management can be complex with intersecting and at times conflicting environmental, cultural and socioeconomic issues90,168,169.”

• cites [90] Hohenlohe, P. A. et al. Population genomics for wildlife conservation and management. Mol. Ecol. 30(1), 62–82 (2021). sourcePartly supported

  The “Informing Management Actions” section (page unavailable) says wildlife managers face difficult management decisions, supporting the general point that conservation management can be complex. It does not address Arctic management or say that environmental, cultural and socioeconomic issues intersect or conflict. (LLM, conf=0.78)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites [168] Willi, Y. et al. Conservation genetics as a management tool: The five best-supported paradigms to assist the management of threatened species. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (U.S.A.) 119, e2105076119 (2022). sourceCould not verify

  The Applied Conservation Genetics section discusses government policy and genetic data in conservation planning, while the Conclusions discuss environmental threats to species. Neither addresses Arctic management or intersecting and conflicting cultural and socioeconomic issues; searches for those terms found no supporting passage in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.76)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites [169] Buschman, V. Q. & Sudlovenick, E. Indigenous-led conservation in the Arctic supports global conservation practices. Arctic Sci. 9, 714–719 (2023). sourceSupported

May combine two claims.

The finding of MHC diversity and no overt signs of inbreeding depression in native muskox populations is consistent with the view that neutral genetic diversity is less important than functional genetic diversity for conservation of wild populations and species.

“This finding, along with the muskox having no overt signs of inbreeding depression in native populations31, is consistent with the view of Teixeira and Huber139 that argues against the perceived importance of neutral genetic diversity over functional genetic diversity for the conservation of wild populations and species.”

• cites [31] Pečnerová, P. et al. Population genomics of the muskox’s resilience in the near absence of genetic variation. Mol. Ecol. 33(2), e17205 (2024). sourceSupported
• cites [139] Teixeira, J. C., Huber, C. & D.,. The inflated significance of neutral genetic diversity in conservation genetics. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (U.S.A.) 118(10), e2015096118 (2021). sourceSupported

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The genetics of domestication are relatively well understood for livestock.

“However, domestication is a long and difficult process, but the genetics of domestication are relatively well understood for livestock143–148.”

• cites [143] Larson, G. Genetics and domestication. Curr. Anthropol. 52, S485–S495 (2011). sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites [144] Hunter, P. The genetics of domestication. EMBO Rep. 19(2), 201–205 (2018). sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites [145] Alberto, F. J. et al. Convergent genomic signatures of domestication in sheep and goats. Nat. Commun. 9, 813 (2018). sourcePartly supported

  The Introduction reports that genome-wide studies have identified variants distinguishing several domestic animals from their wild counterparts. But it also says that shared domestication signatures remain largely unexplored and evidence for common genes remains elusive, so it does not support the broad assertion that livestock domestication genetics are relatively well understood. No page number is available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites [146] Ahmad, H. I. et al. The domestication makeup: Evolution, survival, and challenges. Front. Ecol. Evol. 8, 103 (2020). sourcePartly supported

  The “Genomics and the Domestication Process” section (page unavailable) describes identified candidate genes and genomic loci in domestic animals, supporting some knowledge of domestication genetics. But “Challenges and Prospects” (page unavailable) says many questions remain and that, apart from coat-colour genes, no genes had been associated with the early stages of animal domestication. The claim overstates how well understood livestock domestication genetics are. (LLM, conf=0.85)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites [147] Zheng, Z. et al. The origin of domestication genes in goats. Sci. Adv. 6, eaaz5216 (2020). sourcePartly supported

  The Introduction (page unavailable) says studies had identified candidate genes under selection in goats, and the Discussion reports evidence for the genetic basis of selected goat traits. But the Introduction also says the early evolutionary dynamics of key genes remain unclear; findings about goats do not establish that domestication genetics are relatively well understood across livestock. (LLM, conf=0.83)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites [148] Dou, M. et al. A missense mutation in RRM1 contribute to animal tameness. Sci. Adv. 9, eadf4068 (2023). sourcePartly supported

  The Discussion reports a domestication-related genetic locus in goats, supporting some knowledge of livestock domestication genetics. But the Abstract says the mutations underlying tameness remain vague; the paper does not establish that domestication genetics are relatively well understood across livestock. No page numbers are available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.82)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The remarkable super-fine under-wool of the muskox has economic potential and has driven early attempts to domesticate the muskox to improve yield and ease qiviut harvest.

“Finally, the remarkable super-fine under-wool of the muskox has garnered much attention for its economic potential, and has driven some early attempts to domesticate the muskox to improve yield and ease of qiviut harvest12–15.”

• cites [12] Barr, W. The commercial trade in muskox hides in the Northwest Territories in 1860–1916. Rangifer 11(2), 81–81 (1991). sourceCould not verify

  The paper’s section on the commercial trade in muskox hides (page unavailable) describes hides sold for use as sleigh or carriage robes. Searches for qiviut, fine under-wool, and domestication found no passage addressing the claimed economic potential of the under-wool or attempts to domesticate muskoxen to harvest it. (LLM, conf=0.76)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites [13] Von Bergen, W. Muskox wool and its possibilities as a new textile fiber. Melliand Text. Mon. 3(10), 844–846 (1932).Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites [14] Rowell, J. E. et al. Fiber characteristics of qiviut and guard hair from wild muskoxen (Ovibos muschatus). J. Anim. Sci. 79, 1670–1674 (2001). sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites [15] Helfferich, D. The muskox: Wooly and warm in a northern fiber industry. Agroborealis 39(1), 29–37 (2007).Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Teixeira and Huber argue against the perceived importance of neutral genetic diversity over functional genetic diversity for the conservation of wild populations and species.

“This finding, along with the muskox having no overt signs of inbreeding depression in native populations31, is consistent with the view of Teixeira and Huber139 that argues against the perceived importance of neutral genetic diversity over functional genetic diversity for the conservation of wild populations and species.”

• cites [139] Teixeira, J. C., Huber, C. & D.,. The inflated significance of neutral genetic diversity in conservation genetics. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (U.S.A.) 118(10), e2015096118 (2021). sourceSupported

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The role of domestication as a driver for conservation and management of endangered species is controversial.

“While the role of domestication as a driver for conservation and management of endangered species is controversial140–142, it could be one facet of an integrated adaptive solution that is locally implemented.”

• cites [140] Abbott, B. & Van Kooten, G. C. Can domestication of wildlife lead to conservation? The economics of tiger farming in China. Ecol. Econ. 70(4), 721–728 (2011). sourceSupported
• cites [141] Teletchea, F. Wildlife conservation: Is domestication a solution? In Global Exposition of Wildlife Management, Chapter 1 (ed. Lameed, G. A.) (IntechOpen Ltd, 2017). https://doi.org/10.5772/65660. sourceSupported
• cites [142] Moyers, B. T. et al. Genetic costs of domestication and improvement. J. Hered. 109(2), 103–116 (2018). sourceCould not verify

  The Conclusions (page unavailable) discuss genetic costs in domesticated species, and Predictive Algorithms (page unavailable) discusses phylogenetic conservation as a way to assess genetic variants. Neither addresses whether using domestication to conserve or manage endangered species is controversial. Searches for endangered-species conservation, management, and captive breeding found no passage on that point. (LLM, conf=0.76)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

May combine two claims.

There are still considerable uncertainties in present muskox population numbers and trends, limiting the usefulness of the new genomics tools.

“However, there are still considerable uncertainties in the present muskox population numbers and trends, thereby limiting the usefulness of the new genomics tools.”

• cites [19] Cuyler, C. et al. Muskox status, recent variation, and uncertain future. Ambio 49, 805–819 (2020). sourcePartly supported

  The Methods and Results and discussion > Abundance sections describe infrequent, inconsistent surveys that make rigorous population-trend analyses difficult; the paper also reports unknown recent trends for 17 of 55 populations. It does not say that uncertainty about population numbers or trends limits the usefulness of new genomics tools. Its Results and discussion > Spatial distribution and genetic diversity section instead says better genetic understanding would aid management. (LLM, conf=0.88)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Keratins and keratin-associated proteins are conserved across multiple species, with family members encoding principal structural components of hair and wool.

“Keratins and the keratin-associated proteins are conserved across multiple species with family members encoding the principal structural components of hair and wool160–163.”

• cites [160] Moll, R. et al. The human keratins: Biology and pathology. Histocom. Cell Biol. 129, 705–733 (2008). sourcePartly supported

  The Stratified epithelia section says that keratin filaments embedded in keratin-associated proteins form the hard material of hair and wool, among other structures. It does not establish that keratins and keratin-associated proteins are conserved across multiple species; their presence in these materials is not evidence of conservation. (LLM, conf=0.85)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites [161] Wu, D.-D. et al. Molecular evolution of the keratin associated protein gene family in mammals, role in the evolution of mammalian hair. BMC Evol. Biol. 8, 241 (2008). sourcePartly supported

  The Background (page unavailable) says alpha-keratins and keratin-associated proteins are the major components of hair. The Discussion (page unavailable) finds KRTAP subfamily members across the mammals studied, but the Conclusion says KRTAPs diverged rapidly between species; the copy does not establish conservation of the proteins themselves or specifically discuss wool. (LLM, conf=0.86)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites [162] Gong, H. et al. Wool keratin-associated protein genes in sheep—A review. Genes 7, 24 (2016). sourcePartly supported

  The Introduction describes α-keratins and keratin-associated proteins (KAPs) as major structural components of wool and identifies α-keratins in both hair and wool. Sections 3 and 6 describe KAP families shared by sheep and humans, but the copy does not establish that both keratins and KAPs are conserved across multiple species. (LLM, conf=0.84)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites [163] Zhou, H. et al. The complexity of the ovine and caprine keratin-associated protein genes. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 22, 12838 (2021). sourcePartly supported

  The Introduction identifies KAPs and keratin intermediate filaments as the main structural components of mammalian hair and wool fibres. Section 2 reports KAP gene orthologues in sheep, goats and humans, supporting their presence across species, but does not establish that both KAPs and keratins are conserved across species. (LLM, conf=0.82)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

May combine two claims.

The resource includes exon-level annotation of genes useful in muskox management, including genes of the immune system, genes associated with environmental adaptations (particularly heat stress), and genes associated with socioeconomic benefits.

“From this assembly, we also provide exon-level annotation of genes that could be useful in muskox management, including genes of the immune system, those associated with environmental adaptations, particularity to heat stress, and genes associated with relevant socioeconomic benefits as direct drivers for species conservation.”

May combine two claims.

All 374 genes that BUSCO scored as fragmented or missing were annotated at exon-level resolution and found to be present and complete, revising the BUSCO score to 100%.

“The results revealed that all 374 genes are present and complete (Supplementary Table S2), revising the BUSCO score to 100%.”

May combine two claims.

The Banks Island reference specimen (ROMMRAN27) seemed to be neither particularly invariant nor have a high number of variants compared to those from other Arctic islands.

“Banks Island is represented only by our reference specimen, which seemed to be neither particularly invariant nor have a high number of variants compared to those from other Arctic islands.”

May combine two claims.

In the muskox, LRP1B comprises 91 highly conserved exons spanning 2.17 Mbp, encoding 4596 amino acids, and is present in its entirety on contig MUS01_AAA20220901_F8-ctg00025.

“In the muskox, LRP1B (Acc KAL1287620) comprises 91 highly conserved exons spanning 2.17 Mbp, encoding 4596 amino acids, and is present in its entirety on contig MUS01_AAA20220901_F8-ctg00025 (Acc JBFTXH010000025).”

May combine two claims.

Overall, muskox MHC contains a similar number of principal genes and are organized similarly as in the other species.

“Overall, muskox MHC contains a similar number of principal genes and are organized similarly as in the other species.”

May combine two claims.

Six genes encode potential alpha-receptor subunits and seven genes encode potential beta-receptor subunits.

“As denoted by the A and B designations in their assigned gene symbols, six genes encode potential alpha-receptor subunits and seven genes encode potential beta-receptor subunits.”

May combine two claims.

The heterozygosity of the Canadian mainland muskox is on par with the cheetah, while that of the High Arctic/Greenland muskox is lower than that of the Tasmanian devil.

“The heterozygosity of the Canadian mainland muskox is on par with the cheetah, while that of the High Arctic/Greenland muskox is lower than that of the Tasmanian devil.”

May combine two claims.

All variant calls in the MHC coding regions were single base substitutions; no insertions or deletions were observed.

“All variant calls were found to be single base substitutions. We did not observe any insertions or deletions among the calls.”

May combine two claims.

KLRK1 (CD314, NKG2-D) and B2M co-receptor genes are located on muskox chromosomes 3 and 13, respectively.

“KLRK1 (CD314, NKG2-D) and B2M co-receptor genes are located on muskox chromosomes 3 and 13, respectively.”

May combine two claims.

Compared to human, we observed a tandem duplication of the C4 gene in the muskox. The second gene was assigned the symbol C4L.

“Compared to human, we observed a tandem duplication of the C4 gene in the muskox. The second gene was assigned the symbol C4L.”

May combine two claims.

Class I pseudogenes, HLA-L3* and HLA-L4*, accumulated many variants principally across the Arctic Island samples, none of which however restore the coding sequence to create a functional gene.

“Interestingly, Class I pseudogenes, HLAL3* and HLA-L4*, accumulated many variants principally across the Arctic Island samples, none of which however restore the coding sequence to create a functional gene.”

May combine two claims.

The muskox autosomal fundamental number is 58, a stable number for most karyotyped Bovidae species with varying diploid chromosome number.

“maintaining an autosomal fundamental number (i.e. autosomal arm count) of 58, a stable number for most karyotyped Bovidae species with varying diploid chromosome number (2n).47.”

• cites [47] Gallagher, D. S. Jr. & Womack, J. E. Chromosome conservation in the Bovidae. J. Hered. 83, 287–298 (1991). sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

The chromosome arms in the five species share extensive synteny along their lengths, with the cow less so as indicated by the shorter lengths of the synteny blocks.

“The chromosome arms in the five species share extensive synteny along their lengths, with the cow less so as indicated by the shorter lengths of the synteny blocks.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The reindeer is relatively diverse in comparison to the muskox populations shown.

“The other large Arctic ruminant, the reindeer, is relatively diverse in comparison.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The muskox genome contains 55 MAPK genes.

“The 55 MAPK genes in muskox are provided in Supplementary Table S6.”

May combine two claims.

Two other genes, HLA-L3* and HLA-L4*, were predicted to be pseudogenes based on the presence of in-frame termination codons, which were verified using Illumina short reads.

“Two other genes, HLA-L3* and HLA-L4*, were predicted to be pseudogenes based on the presence of in-frame termination codons, which were verified using Illumina short reads.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Fig. 7 and Supplementary Table S10 show the organization and annotation of the principal keratin and keratin-associated protein gene clusters in muskox.

“To this end, Fig. 7 and Supplementary Table S10 show the organization and annotation of the principal keratin and keratin-associated protein gene clusters in muskox.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Qiviut has a high market price.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

DNA purified from well-maintained archival tissue banks, particularly kidney tissues, is acceptable for PacBio sequencing and genome assembly when blood samples are not available.

“Although DNA from flash-frozen fresh whole blood is often preferred for long-read sequencing, when blood samples are not available due to logistical or regulatory issues, DNA purified from well-maintained archival tissue banks (particularly kidney tissues) is acceptable for PacBio sequencing and genome assembly.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Long reads were tiled along the length of the assembly to identify regions of discordance for curation.

“In a final quality control step, long reads were tiled along the length of the assembly to identify regions of discordance for curation.”

May combine two claims.

Anchoring the assembly to the 24 muskox chromosomes allows a direct cytogenetic comparison to other members of Bovidae, including mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) identified from livestock.

“the anchoring of our assembly to the 24 muskox chromosomes allows a direct cytogenetic comparison to other members of Bovidae, notably to the useful quantitative trait loci (QTLs) identified from economically important livestock.”

May combine two claims.

The CLR data used for the assembly comprised 207.6 Gb of sequences, representing 71.6× genome coverage.

“the resulting CLRs used for the assembly comprised 207.6 Gb of sequences, representing 71.6× genome coverage.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The cross-species scaffolding alignments were reviewed and filtered to ensure no contradictions with the Repeat Graph generated by the Flye assembler.

“As a quality control step, the resulting alignments were then reviewed and filtered to ensure there were no contradictions with the Repeat Graph generated by the Flye assembler.”

May combine two claims.

Five non-overlapping 5 kb windows in the assembly showed a 95-99% match to Delftia acidovoran, and these were removed from the assembly.

“BLAST analysis of non-overlapping 5 kb windows in the assembly revealed five windows showing a match (95–99%) to Delftia acidovoran (Acc CP058970.1), a common aerobic environmental organism found in soil. The five positive windows were adjacent to each other and were all confined to a single contig of 26 kb length, which was removed from the assembly.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The short-read data used for polishing comprised 178.6 Gb of sequences, representing 61.6× coverage.

“777 million paired-end reads remained, comprising 178.6 Gb of sequences (61.6× coverage).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Rapid climate change in the Arctic is causing the spread of emerging infectious and parasitic diseases in the muskox.

“One notable impact of rapid climate change in the Arctic is the spread of emerging infectious and parasitic diseases in the muskox”

May combine two claims.

The number of MHC Class I and Class II genes in the muskox is similar to many other mammals, suggesting that at face value, the muskox is immune-competent in interactions with T-cells.

“The number of MHC Class I and Class II genes in the muskox is also similar to many other mammals, suggest that at face value, the muskox is immune-competent in interactions with T-cells.”

May combine two claims.

The duplicated B2M gene on muskox chromosome 13 appears to be functional and was assigned the symbol B2ML.

“The duplicated gene appears to be functional and was assigned the symbol B2ML.”

May combine two claims.

The muskox MHC region is similar in structure and overall genomic organization to the other Bovidae, indicating no potential deficiencies in muskox due to gross deletions or arrangements in the MHC region.

“We have shown the muskox MHC region is similar in structure and overall genomic organization to the other Bovidae, indicating no potential deficiencies in muskox due to gross deletions or arrangements in the MHC region.”

May combine two claims.

The present use of short reads might result in significant false-negative calls, but it would still provide a useful first look at the genetic diversity in this region of the genome.

“However, until the implementation of using long reads to make variant calls for the muskox, the present use of shortreads might result in significant false-negative calls, but it would still provide a useful first look at the genetic diversity in this region of the genome.”

May combine two claims.

Efforts to domesticate muskox were too small-scale and brief to allow selection for particular traits, although the muskox became tame.

“Efforts were too small-scale and brief to allow the selection for particular traits, although the muskox became tame.”

• cites [149] Wilkinson, P. F. The history of musk-ox domestication. Polar Rec. 17(106), 13–22 (1974). sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites [150] Helfferich, D. The muskox: A new northern farm animal. Agroborealis 38(2), 18–21 (2006).Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites [151] Helfferich, D. The muskox: Muskox husbandry. Agroborealis 39(2), 10–19 (2007).Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The annotated genes can contribute to measuring connectivity between populations and understanding dynamics of expanding muskox distribution or translocations.

“The annotated genes can contribute to measure connectivity between populations and for understanding the dynamics of expanding muskox distribution on the mainland or options for translocations to rescue depleted populations.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The present study provides genomics tools that will advance muskox conservation and management in at least three ways.

“The present study provides genomics tools that will advance muskox conservation and management in at least three ways.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The annotated genes will contribute to muskox management and conservation.

“Second, the genomic tools especially the annotated genes will contribute to management and conservation.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Early work pointed to low or no genetic diversity in the muskox MHC.

“In contrast to early work pointing to low or no genetic diversity in the muskox MHC132, our tabulation of variants across multiple specimens showed a significant diversity across the MHC.”

• cites [132] Mikko, S. et al. Monomorphism and polymorphism at the Mhc DRB loci in domestic and wild ruminants. Immunol. Rev. 167, 169–178 (1999). sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The creation of a high-quality reference genome provides a resource to develop genetic markers for estimating gene flow, effective population size, the timing of extirpation, and monitoring recolonization.

“First, the creation of a high-quality reference genome provides a resource to develop genetic markers that could be used estimate gene flow, effective population size, the timing of extirpation, and to monitor progress of future recolonization efforts.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Muskox domestication has been attempted but has not yet succeeded.

“Although muskox domestication has been attempted, it has not yet succeeded149–151.”

• cites [149] Wilkinson, P. F. The history of musk-ox domestication. Polar Rec. 17(106), 13–22 (1974). sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites [150] Helfferich, D. The muskox: A new northern farm animal. Agroborealis 38(2), 18–21 (2006).Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites [151] Helfferich, D. The muskox: Muskox husbandry. Agroborealis 39(2), 10–19 (2007).Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.