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Group:
Insect
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
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
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