Top 10 genome papers of all time

Criteria for inclusion: a paper must be the first description of the complete or near-complete genome of a species, and it must describe the DNA sequence as well as relevant sequencing methods and biological discoveries revealed by the initial sequencing of the genome.  Rankings are based on citation counts, with the ISI Web of Science taking priority over Google Scholar, which is less accurate as it uses heuristic rules to gather citations.  Counts from both databases are provided.  Citation counts are current as of December 2008.

1. Initial sequencing and analysis of the human genome
International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium
Nature 409:6822 (15 Feb 2001), 860-921.
Times Cited: 6,416
Google Scholar: 5,542

2. The sequence of the human genome
JC Venter, MD Adams, EW Myers, et al. (274 authors)
Science 291:5507 (16 Feb 2001), 1304-1351.
Times Cited: 4,588
Google Scholar: 6,502  [Note that Google places this paper at #1]

3. The Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli K-12
FR Blattner, G Plunkett, CA Bloch, et al.
Science 277:5331 (5 Sept 1997), 1453-1462.
Times Cited: 3,327
Google Scholar: 3,625

4. Whole-genome random sequencing and assembly of Haemophilus influenzae RD
RD Fleischmann, MD Adams, O White, et al.
Science 269:5223 (28 July 1995), 496-512.
Times Cited: 3,075
Google Scholar: 2,651

5. Deciphering the biology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from the complete genome sequence
ST Cole, R Brosch, J Parkhill, et al.
Nature 393:6685 (11 June 1998), 537-544.
Times Cited: 2,858
Google Scholar: 3,163 [Note that Google places this paper at #4]

6. Analysis of the genome sequence of the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana
The Arabidopsis Genome Initiative (143 authors)
Nature 408:6814 (14 Dec 2000), 796-815.
Times Cited: 2,689
Google Scholar: 1,728 (Google has real trouble tracking this "group author" name)

7. The genome sequence of Drosophila melanogaster
MD Adams, SE Celniker, RA Holt, et al.
Science 287:5461 (24 Mar 2000), 2185-2195.
Times Cited: 2,632
Google Scholar: 3,002

8. Initial sequencing and comparative analysis of the mouse genome
Mouse Genome Sequencing Consortium
Nature 420:6915 (5 Dec 2002), 520-562.
Times Cited: 2,188
Google Scholar: 1,763

9. The complete genome sequence of the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori
JF Tomb, O White, AR Kerlavage, et al.
Nature 388:6642 (7 Aug 1997), 539-547.
Times Cited: 1,960
Google Scholar: 1,325

10. Complete genome sequence of the methanogenic archaeon, Methanococcus jannaschii
CJ Bult, O White, GJ Olsen, et al.
Science 273:5278 (23 Aug 1996), 1058-1073.
Times Cited: 1,811
Google Scholar: 1,425 [Note that Google places this paper at #9]