top of page
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:
Insect
Estimated genome size:
Size:
4 cm length
Distribution:
Bullacris unicolor occurs predominantly along the west coast of South Africa, in the Northern Cape and Western Cape, with isolated populations along the southern coast into the Eastern Cape.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
259 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
4.97 kilobases
Assembly N50:
19 687.55 kilobases
Contig number:
5 192
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Assembler used:
Hifiasm
Genome Length:
6.3 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
97.7% [S: 93.2%, D: 4.5%]
BUSCO database:
insecta
Bullacris unicolor
Bladder grasshopper
Importance:
Bladder grasshoppers are unusual insects, largely endemic to Southern Africa and highly specialised for sound communication. Male Bullacris unicolor produce loud calls using an inflated abdomen that amplifies sound. Common in Namaqualand during spring, the species is known locally for its distinctive night-time “hekiejee” call.
Sample Contributor contact details:
Vanessa Couldridge
University of the Western Cape
Date Published:
2026-06-09
Photo credit:
© V. Couldridge
Fauna
bottom of page