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Group:

Insect

Estimated genome size:

Its body is about 16-21 mm, and its probiscis (tongue) is 20-47mm long.

Size:

Its body is about 16-21 mm, and its probiscis (tongue) is 20-47mm long.

Distribution:

Its range is in south western Africa, specifically extreme southwestern Namibia through the western part of Northern Cape Province in South Africa (Namaqualand), and into the northwestern portion of the Western Cape Province. Key areas of high diversity include the Kamieskroon area of Namaqualand and the Pakhuis Mountains in the Western Cape.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

34.81 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

1.09 kilobases

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Genome Length:

0.56 Gigabases

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

99.0% [S: 94.7%, D: 4.2%]

Importance:

The Long-tongued fly is important ecologically. It is a keystone pollinator for a whole guild of long-tubed, vividly colored flowers. Through its specialized morphology and behavior, it facilitates efficient and species-specific pollination, supports plant biodiversity, and likely drives co-evolution in its plant partners.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Simon Van Noort
Iziko Museums of South Africa

Group:

Mammal

Genome size:

3 040 million DNA base pairs (3.04 Gigabases)

Size:

1.8 – 2.3 meter (length)

Distribution:

The Cape fur seal is found along the southern and southwestern coasts of Africa, ranging from Algoa Bay in the Indian Ocean (Eastern Cape, South Africa) through Namibia, up to Baia dos Tigres in southern Angola, along the Atlantic Ocean.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

80.12 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

5.99 thousand DNA bases (kilobases)

Assembly N50:

TBA

Contig number:

TBA

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Assembler used:

TBA

Genome Length:

2.38 Gigabases

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

98.0% [S: 82.7%, D: 15.3%]

BUSCO database:

TBA

Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus

Cape Fur Seal

Species Card Details

Importance:

The Cape fur seal is a marine apex predator that plays a critical role in maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem. It feeds on fish such as sardines and pilchards and is therefore competition with local, economically important fisheries. In Namibia, annual sealing yields meat, blubber and fur, which are then sold commercially, further contributing to the species' economic importance.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Monica Mwale
South African National Biodiversity Institute

Date Published:

2025-02-17

Awaiting DOI

Photo credit:

© N. de Bruyn

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