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Text by Didier Aurelle, Université de Toulon, CNRS The yellow gorgonian ( Eunicella cavolini ) is one of the most widespread octocoral species found in the Mediterranean sea. As with other Anthozoans (the groups of cnidarians including hard corals, black corals, sea anemons and gorgonians), it is an ecosystem engineer, contributing to the habitats of various species. Eunicella cavolini is listed as Near Threatened in the the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and is impacted among others by climate change and fishing activities. In the area of Marseille this species is present at different depths and near pollution sources.  Eunicella cavolini  is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List . Photo by  F. Zuberer. Research has shown that there is a possibility of hybridisation between E. cavolini  and E. singularis.  As E. singularis  hosts symbiotic algae (Symbiodiniaceae), this hybridisation questions the evolution of symbiosis. This makes the yellow gorgonian a fascinating model species to study genomic evolution at the interplay between speciation, adaptation to anthropic pressures and symbiotic interactions .  Underwater sampling in action:  A researcher collects the specimen used to generate the reference genome. Photos by F. Zuberer. Thanks to the ERGA community and the Biodiversity Genomics Europe Project, a high-quality reference genome of E. cavolini is now available, with a length around 500 Mb (1/6 of human genome) and 17 chromosomes (click here  to read the genome report). We will work on understanding how this species can thrive near sewage outfalls or ancient industrial remnants, in the vicinity of Marseille. The results will also be useful to question the past and future evolution of Mediterranean octocorals facing climate change. Read the peer-reviewed genome report of Eunicella cavolini (Aurelle et al., 2025): https://open-research-europe.ec.europa.eu/articles/5-323 . Click here  to learn more about ERGA’s standardized genome reports. This project involves collaborations with CIIMAR (Jean-Baptiste Ledoux), MNHN-ISYEB (Sarah Samadi), IFREMER (Stéphane Sartoretto), OSU-Pythéas (Dorian Guillemain & Frédéric Zuberer) and IMBE (Alex Baumel & Vinciane Mossion). Learn more about the species and genome applications in this short flash talk by Didier Aurelle: Yellow gorgonian (Eunicella cavolini) - Didier Aurelle References: Aurelle, D., Guillemain, D., Zuberer, F., Malengros, D., Böhne, A., Monteiro, R., ... & Bortoluzzi, C. (2025). ERGA-BGE reference genome of Eunicella cavolini, an IUCN Near Threatened Gorgonian of the Mediterranean Sea. Open Research Europe, 5, 323. Kipson, S., Cerrano, C., Terrón-Sigler, A., Linares, C.L. & Ozalp, B. 2015. Eunicella cavolini (Mediterranean assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T50012182A50606230. Accessed on 05 December 2025.

We are thrilled to announce the election of three new officers to the ERGA Executive Board ! Tyler Alioto, Kay Lucek, and Stefaniya Kamenova have been appointed as Scientific, Partnership, and Dissemination Officers, respectively. Tyler, Kay and Stefaniya have been active members of our community, demonstrating commitment and strong engagement across various ERGA committees. Their participation on the Executive Board will bring valuable new perspectives — we wish them great success in their new roles! This marks the fourth iteration of ERGA Executive Board elections, now a well-established process. The procedure was followed closely by the ERGA Council, in accordance with the guidelines established by the ERGA Governance Document .  The process also received crucial oversight from the Nominations Working Group and support from the Elections Supporting Team (Christian de Guttry, Diego de Panis and João Pimenta). The ERGA Executive Board includes a total of nine representatives with different roles. We thank the outgoing officers Rosa Fernández, Elena Bužan, and Chiara Bortoluzzi for their outstanding work and contributions during their time on the Executive Board! Learn more about these three officer roles: Partnership Officer Builds and steers collaborations with infrastructures, initiatives, and agencies; aligns joint work plans; supervises MoUs/data-sharing; co-develops multi-partner proposals; connects National Nodes with external partners. Dissemination Officer Ensures ERGA outputs are FAIR and visible; coordinates publications, datasets/DOIs, licences, and metadata; works with Comms, website/newsletter/social channels; supports GoaT alignment and cross-committee showcases. Scientific Officer Leads scientific direction and harmonisation; maintains roadmap from sampling to analysis; oversees SOPs, benchmarking, and compliance (open data, licences, ABS/Nagoya); coordinates across SSP, SAC, DAC, and ITIC.

The European Reference Genome Atlas ( ERGA ) and the European node of the International Barcode of Life ( iBOL Europe ), two international communities of scientists brought together under the Biodiversity Genomics Europe  Project, are joining forces for “Connections,” a series of blog posts that explore the fascinating world of Biodiversity Genomics  and the intersection of their communities. If you have been following our Connections series so far, you have learned that barcodes help us recognise which “book” of life we are holding, while reference genomes let us read every page. Today, we follow those pages out of the lab into the places where decisions are made. Biodiversity genomics has matured from proof-of-concept to a toolkit that can inform, for example, monitoring, species risk assessment, and management, and even market rules, by turning reads and assemblies into actions that matter for species, habitats, and the people depending on them. The impact pathway usually begins with identification and baselines. DNA barcodes establish who is where. This matters when regulators need quick and reliable evidence to tighten protection for a declining bird population in a wetland. Or when managers must separate look-alike pest species in aquaculture, or when coastal engineers test whether a beach-nourishment scheme is compatible with an endemic fish. Reference genomes deepen the story. They reveal how a species works, what its population structure is, connectivity, and adaptive variation. All clues that tell us if a population can, for instance, cope with heatwaves, if a corridor is worth restoring, and which individuals should contribute to an ex-situ programme. In other words, barcodes inform us of their presence, and genomes explain how they function. Consider fisheries and seafood safety. Genomics applied to widely fished pelagic species can clarify stock boundaries, helping fish stock management plans align with biology rather than old assumptions. At the same time, genomics in commercially harvested clams can support contamination assessment risks more precisely, so that consumer guidance and coastal policies rest on data rather than speculations. In both cases, genomics can improve sustainability and trust: what gets caught, what gets sold, what gets eaten, and what the sea can afford to give. Public health is another frontier where decisions move at the speed of evidence. Genomics of mosquito complexes that transmit West Nile virus allows us to identify cryptic lineages and chemosensory genes tied to behaviour, turning a confusing species complex into a map for outbreak monitoring programmes. From these insights, SNP panels for routine surveillance, early detection of resistance to control measures, and area-specific interventions mandated by regional authorities can be designed. On land, genomics can inform connectivity, reintroduction, and hybridisation policies. For example, in a rare Central European small mammal, its genomic structure showed how a modern drainage canal severed gene flow. The management recommendation is to restore corridors before populations slip past recovery. Alpine chamois and butterflies reveal country-level patterns of diversity and endemism. These data now feed directly into status reviews and legally binding conservation lists. In lowland wetlands, a long-distance migratory passerine with low diversity but ongoing gene flow gains a genetic monitoring plan that guides translocation choices and post-release tracking. Where climate change pushes related hare species into contact, genomic portraits of introgression help hunting and wildlife agencies adjust seasons and safeguards to protect vulnerable mountain lineages. Plants illustrate the same arc from data to decision. Herbs harvested from the wild, dune shrubs that stabilise coasts, and aromatic species adapting to new climates all benefit from genome-enabled surveys that distinguish clonal spread from sexual reproduction, estimate contemporary effective size, and pinpoint variants tied to heat and frost. These findings shape seed-sourcing, habitat management, and Europe-wide genetic monitoring comparable across borders, museums, and herbaria. What ties these stories together is not a single technology, but a way of working. Barcodes and genomes are generated in collaboration with end-users, including park services, fishery bodies, health authorities, farmers, and NGOs. Data are paired with training, screening tools, and communication adapted to local contexts. This results in a lasting impact that takes many forms, from field measurements to management plans, from genome browsers to policy briefs, and from classroom demonstrations to community-run surveys. The book metaphor keeps us honest. Barcodes still tell us which titles we are holding, and reference genomes still let us read every page. But conservation impact starts when we file that book in the right library. We share it with the people who need it and use it to guide choices about land, water, and livelihoods. Biodiversity genomics is now doing exactly that, moving from pages to policies, with benefits that go far beyond the lab bench.

socialjustice@erga-biodiversity.eu < Back Social Justice Committee socialjustice@erga-biodiversity.eu The ERGA Social Justice Committee is dedicated to embedding justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles into every aspect of eukaryotic genome production, from sampling to results dissemination. This committee serves as an ethical compass for ERGA members, guiding the community to ensure that every step in the genome generation pipeline is conducted with social responsibility and respect for diversity in line with our four core principles: promoting diversity, ensuring equity, advancing inclusion and upholding justice. Through these principles, we aim to ensure both scientific rigor and social responsibility in our guidelines for generating high-quality reference genomes. (V1. 01/12/2025) Co-chairs Fabrizio Ghiselli James Fleming Head to the committee page >> Welcome to the new members of the ERGA Executive Board! Press Releases Connections #9: How Biodiversity Genomics drives conservation impact ERGA News #32 - November 2025

Biodiversity Genomics Europe (BGE) The Biodiversity Genomics Europe Project has the overriding aim of accelerating the use of genomic science to enhance understanding of biodiversity, monitor biodiversity change, and guide interventions to address its decline. The BGE Project comprises activities focused on DNA Barcoding (Barcoding Stream) and Reference Genome Generation (Genomes Stream) for eukaryotic species across Europe, bringing together two European networks: iBOL Europe and the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA). The ERGA Stream of BGE The Genomes Stream of BGE, as the European node of the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP) , aims to establish and implement large-scale biodiversity genomic data generation pipelines to accelerate the production and accessibility of reference-quality, complete genome sequences for species across the whole of European biodiversity. The output will support applications in the fields of: biodiversity characterisation, conservation, and biomonitoring. The Genomes Stream focuses on generating reference-quality genomes from critical European biodiversity, biodiversity hotspots, pollinators, and a selection of applied case studies. BGE-ERGA Stream Work Packages: BGE-ERGA News Connections #9: How Biodiversity Genomics drives conservation impact From Genomes to Impact: the Genomics for Biodiversity Conference 2025 Big data and small brown birds: how whole-genome sequencing can inform conservation of the threatened aquatic warbler? Partner Institutions Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research University of Lausanne University of Florence Cibio Genomescope 6 7 8 600x600logos_hackathon_sponsors_logos2 bge_erga-inst_LOGOS(7) CSIC University of Oslo 14 16 bge_erga-inst_LOGOS(2) bge_erga-inst_LOGOS(3) Sanger Earlham Institute bge_erga-inst_LOGOS(5) bge_erga-inst_LOGOS(6) Discover the whole BGE network

Community Guidelines Data & Tools Sampling Resources ERGA Library Media Community Guidelines & Documents ERGA Governance Document The ERGA Governance Document builds on the initial consortium structure guidelines and defines ERGA bodies, procedures, roles, and responsibilities. On registration, ERGA Members agree to be bound by both the ERGA Code of Conduct and this Governance Document . View More Code of Conduct ERGA is a bottom-up, open and inclusive community. ERGA membership is open to any individual who supports ERGA’s objectives, registers as a member, and agrees to be bound by the ERGA Code of Conduct. View More Privacy Policy As a community connecting researchers working in the field of biodiversity genomics, ERGA is committed to protecting privacy and respecting privacy regulations, as outlined in the ERGA Privacy Policy . View More Open Data Policy This document outlines the Open Data Policy (ODP) for ERGA. This includes all data and metadata produced as part of the activities within and/or associated with ERGA. View More ERGA Publication Project Code of Conduct This document sets out concepts, best practices, and expectations for ERGA Members to follow when engaged in collectively developing publication projects that involve the ERGA community. View More ERGA Glossary This page provides explanations about terms and acronyms often used within ERGA and in the context of Biodiversity Genomics. View More Community Guidelines Sampling Resources ERGA Sample Manifest ERGA aims to promote and facilitate ethical and legal sampling practices that are also complete and comprehensive so as to fully document the provenance of all samples. The ERGA Sample Manifest serves as the community standard for documenting sampling. View More Community Interest Species Survey From late 2021 to early 2023 ERGA conducted a community-wide survey to identify species of interest and potential sample providers; the archived list contains ~1700 species of interest. View More sampling-resources Data & Tools ERGA Data Portal Access the Data Portal and Status Tracker here . These resources are developed together with EMBL-EBI and provide the latest information about data available at the European Nucleotide Archive for all species registered under the ERGA umbrella project. View More ERGA Genome Tracking Console (GTC) The purpose of this tool is to facilitate the tracking of samples, sequencing status, assembly and annotation status, and facilitate the deposition of data into the ENA by keeping track of accession numbers. View More ERGA GoaT Page The Genomes on a Tree (GoaT) platform is mantained by the Wellcome Sanger Institute. GoaT helps coordinate efforts across the Earth Biogenome Project (EBP) Network at all stages from planning through sequencing and assembly to publication. View More ERGA GitHub Through community contributions, ERGA is working towards collecting computational workflows, pipelines, and tutorials in the ERGA GitHub Repositories . View More ERGA WorkflowHub Space Through community contributions, ERGA is working towards collecting computational workflows, pipelines, and tutorials in the ERGA WorkflowHub space. View More Galaxy / Genome Assembly View More Structural Annotation Guide A step-by-step guide on how to annotate protein-coding genes in your genome. Developed by the Annotation Committee. View More Guidelines on data submission - ENA This document provides summary of the key steps for submitting raw reads and genome assemblies (including annotations) to the European Nucleotide Archive. Developed by the IT and Infrastructure Committee. View More data-software Media For more information regarding the ERGA brand or other media inquiries please contact us at media@erga-biodiversity.eu. Logo - Transparent PNG ERGA Poster ERGA Banner ERGA YOUTUBE CHANNEL In the ERGA YouTube Channel you will find a number of resources such as recordings of previous seminars, workshops and interviews. Don't forget to subscribe to our channel to stay updated about upcoming events! media-resources ERGA-Consortium Play Video Play Video 03:45 Gordionus wolterstorffii - Andreas Hejnol Learn more about ‪@biodiversitygenomicseurope6700‬ : https://biodiversitygenomics.eu/ Play Video Play Video 03:23 Fannia canicularis - Andrzej Grzywacz Learn more about ‪@biodiversitygenomicseurope6700‬ : https://biodiversitygenomics.eu/ Play Video Play Video 05:50 Eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) - Joan Ferrer Obiol Learn more about ‪@biodiversitygenomicseurope6700‬ : https://biodiversitygenomics.eu/ Play Video Play Video 17:42 Biodiversity Reference Genomes at ENA and the ERGA Data Portal - Joana Paupério & Alexey Sokolov ERGA Plenary - November 2025 https://www.erga-biodiversity.eu/post/biodiversity-reference-genomes-at-ena-and-the-erga-data-portal Play Video Play Video 30:39 Genomics of sex determination in invasive quagga and zebra mussels - Alexandra Anh-Thu Weber https://www.erga-biodiversity.eu/post/genomics-for-biodiversity-conference-from-genomes-to-impact 🧬 Learn more about #ERGA & join us today! https://www.erga-biodiversity.eu Play Video Play Video 32:00 Omics in global data ecosystems - Pier Luigi Buttigieg https://www.erga-biodiversity.eu/post/genomics-for-biodiversity-conference-from-genomes-to-impact 🧬 Learn more about #ERGA & join us today! https://www.erga-biodiversity.eu Play Video Play Video 17:45 Day 3: Results of the European Stakeholder Survey on Biodiversity Genomics (Elena Buzan) Presented during the Genomics for Biodiversity Conference: https://www.erga-biodiversity.eu/post/genomics-for-biodiversity-conference-from-genomes-to-impact 🧬 Learn more about #ERGA & join us today! https://www.erga-biodiversity.eu Play Video Play Video 30:34 Genomes & cytogenomics to support wildlife management and conservation programs - Alessio Iannucci Genomics for Biodiversity Conference: https://www.erga-biodiversity.eu/post/genomics-for-biodiversity-conference-from-genomes-to-impact 🧬 Learn more about #ERGA & join us today! https://www.erga-biodiversity.eu