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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:
Eudicot
Genome size:
700 million DNA base pairs (0.7 Gigabases)
Size:
2.2 – 4 meters in height
Distribution:
The Karoo num-num occurs in wooded areas, extending from the southwestern Western Cape along the coast through the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, into the Free State, Gauteng, and the northern provinces. Its range also includes Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, and Namibia, with sporadic occurrences as far north as Kenya. Its leaves and thorns exhibit marked variation across its distribution.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
57.27 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
8.05 kilobases
Assembly N50:
TBA
Contig number:
TBA
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Assembler used:
TBA
Genome Length:
0.43 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
98.4% [S: 90.4%, D: 8.0%]
BUSCO database:
TBA
Carissa bispinosa
Karoo num-num
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Importance:
Karoo num-nums are evergreen and provide food and shelter for a wide range of wildlife. They are wind resistant and moderately drought-tolerant, but susceptible to frost. They are cultivated for ornamental use as shrubs and hedges with starry white flowers and bright red edible fruit. The roots have been used medicinally to treat toothache. The num-num is also used in traditional Swazi ceremonies.
Sample Contributor contact details:
Thabang Makola
South African National Biodiversity Institute
Date Published:
2025-03-12
Photo credit:
© T. Makola
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