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Group:
Insect
Estimated genome size:
Greater than 18 mm
Size:
Greater than 18 mm
Distribution:
Anthia decemguttata inhabits sandy areas of the Karoo and fynbos regions in South Africa and Namibia. In South Africa, it occurs in the Northern Cape, Western Cape and Eastern Cape.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
71.66 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
3.56 kilobases
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Genome Length:
0.51 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
100.0% [S: 98.8%, D: 1.2%]
Importance:
Anthia decemguttata belongs to the family Carabidae, a group of beetles that includes important predators. Carabids are abundant in agricultural fields worldwide and may help control agricultural pests naturally.
Sample Contributor contact details:
Charlene Janion-Scheepers
University of Cape Town
Group:
Monocot
Estimated genome size:
Size:
1 m in height
Distribution:
Pearson's Aloe is highly localised, occurring in the north-western corner of South Africa and the southern parts of Namibia in the Lüderitz district. It has a narrow distribution that is limited to the area between Kuboes in the South African Richtersveld National Park and the mining town of Rosh Pinah in southern Namibia. Its distribution falls within, and contributes to the biodiversity of, the Gariep Centre of Plant Endemism.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
343.01 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
9.07 kilobases
Assembly N50:
1 121.75 kilobases
Contig number:
27 313
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Assembler used:
Hifiasm
Genome Length:
13.56 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
98.1% [S: 86.8%, D: 11.3%]
BUSCO database:
viridiplantae
Aloe pearsonii
Pearson's Aloe
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Importance:
Rising temperatures and prolonged drought in the Richtersveld (2015–2020) caused major die-offs of Pearson's Aloe, which has very low recruitment and grows extremely slowly. Overgrazing has intensified the decline, as livestock and wildlife now feed on this species due to the scarcity of other plants. Although valued medicinally and horticulturally, it remains difficult to cultivate.
Sample Contributor contact details:
Thabang Makola
South African National Biodiversity Institute
Date Published:
2026-03-25
Photo credit:
© T Makola
Flora
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