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Species Cards

Aloidendron pillansii

These plants are valued for their age, resilience, and strong association with the Richtersveld, and are highly sought after for their architectural form, increasing their trade value in arid regions.

Giant Quiver tree

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Metacucujus sp.

This beetle lineage is involved in the pollination of endangered cycads, and the resulting sequence data will inform taxonomic resolution and support our work on host specificity and the recovery of pollinator mutualisms.

Cycad cucujid beetle

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Euphorbia dregeana

The Euphorbiaceae family is facing increasing threats in southern Africa due to poaching for illegal trade, with over 30 species currently classified as threatened and another 30 species either lacking sufficient data or yet to be evaluated.

Bergmelkbos

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Erotylid sp. nov. MS 6

This cycad fungus beetle is a pollinator of highly endangered cycad species. Genome sequencing will assist in accurate species identification and classification, as well as in determining host specificity, thereby informing targeted conservation and recovery plans.

Cycad fungus beetle

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Euphorbia tetragona

The Honey Euphorbia is an ornamental, soil adaptable plant with nectar-rich flowers and soil-enhancing properties. However, the Euphorbiaceae family in southern Africa is increasingly threatened by illegal trade, underscoring the need for urgent conservation.

Honey Euphorbia

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Gonimbrasia belina

Mopane worms are harvested from the wild at a commercial scale in southern Africa for human consumption. Demand has been increasing and harvesting and trade have intensified.

Mopane worm

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Euphorbia sekukuniensis

The Sekhukhune candelabra tree is a popular ornamental plant. It has a restricted distribution in isolated populations on shallow norite soils and is threatened by mining activities.

Sekhukhune candelabra tree

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Erotylid sp. nov. MS4

These beetles form part of a complex that pollinates highly endangered cycads in South Africa.

Cycad fungus beetle

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Proeseca peringueyi

The Long-tongued fly is important ecologically. It is a keystone pollinator for a whole guild of long-tubed, vividly colored flowers.

Long-tongued fly

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Hoodia gordonii

Hoodia is a genus of succulent plants that is widely used; traditionally by the San people of southern Africa as an appetite suppressant, thirst quencher and as a cure for, amongst other things, severe abdominal cramps, indigestion, hypertension and diabetes.

Bitter ghaap

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Colophospermum mopane

The Mopane tree, indigenous to northern South Africa and endemic to Africa, is the primary host of the Mopane worm, an important traditional protein source.

Mopane

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Parvulastra exigua

The dwarf cushion star is a widespread and ecologically significant intertidal species in South Africa. It contributes to biodiversity by maintaining balance in rocky shore ecosystems and serving as prey and grazer.

Dwarf cushion star

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