biostudies-literatureUnknown15Guenzi-Tiberi PExtensive research has focused on exploring the range of genome sizes in eukaryotes, with a particular emphasis on land plants, where significant variability has been observed. Accurate estimation of genome size is essential for various research purposes, but existing sequence-based methods have limitations, particularly for low-coverage datasets. In this study, we introduce LocoGSE, a novel genome size estimator designed specifically for low-coverage datasets generated by genome skimming approaches. LocoGSE relies on mapping the reads on single copy consensus proteins without the need for a reference genome assembly. We calibrated LocoGSE using 430 low-coverage Angiosperm genome skimming datasets and compared its performance against other estimators. Our results demonstrate that LocoGSE aFrontiers in plant science1328966https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10972871biostudies-literatureLocoGSE, a sequence-based genome size estimator for plants.PMC10972871Lavergne SIstace BAury JMGuenzi-Tiberi PAlsos IGDenoeud FCoissac EfalseLocoGSE, a sequence-based genome size estimator for plants.Extensive research has focused on exploring the range of genome sizes in eukaryotes, with a particular emphasis on land plants, where significant variability has been observed. Accurate estimation of genome size is essential for various research purposes, but existing sequence-based methods have limitations, particularly for low-coverage datasets. In this study, we introduce LocoGSE, a novel genome size estimator designed specifically for low-coverage datasets generated by genome skimming approaches. LocoGSE relies on mapping the reads on single copy consensus proteins without the need for a reference genome assembly. We calibrated LocoGSE using 430 low-coverage Angiosperm genome skimming datasets and compared its performance against other estimators. Our results demonstrate that LocoGSE a2024-01-01T00:00:00Z20242025-04-04T20:47:21.789Z2025-04-04T20:47:21.789ZS-EPMC109728713855028710.3389/fpls.2024.1328966