top of page
Group:
Reptile
Estimated genome size:
10 - 20 cm (total body length)
Size:
10 - 20 cm (total body length)
Distribution:
Endemic to the Republic of South Africa, occurring in Little Namaqualand from Port Nolloth to Clanwilliam.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
48.66 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
5.93 kilobases
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Genome Length:
1.56 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
98.8% [S: 96.9%, D: 2.0%]
Importance:
It serves as an important model species for studying specific stages of limb development within the genus Scelotes, representing an intermediate limb development stage (forelimb digits = 0; hindlimb digits = 2), and for investigating the genomic evolution of vertebrates. It has a restricted distribution and occurs in distinct habitats and regions, making it an excellent model species for biogeographic and molecular ecology studies.
Sample Contributor contact details:
Dr. Zhongning Zhao
University of Free State
Group:
Eudicot
Estimated genome size:
Size:
1 m
Distribution:
This species is widely distributed across southern Africa, occurring in the Northern, Western, and Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and Namibia. It is the most widely distributed South African shrubby euphorbia and is especially dominant in the Succulent Karoo, where it commonly occurs on valleys and hillsides.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
199.73 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
24.18 kilobases
Assembly N50:
46 174.4 kilobases
Contig number:
1 074
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Assembler used:
Hifiasm
Genome Length:
6.08 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
99.8% [S: 32.0%, D: 67.8%]
BUSCO database:
viridiplantae
Euphorbia mauritanica
Yellow milk bush
_JPG.jpg)
Importance:
The yellow milk bush a is toxic to livestock and sometimes confused with another succulent shrub used as forage, but it is valued as a drought tolerant ornamental. In southern Africa, members of the Euphorbiaceae face increasing threats from illegal trade, highlighting the need for urgent conservation.
Sample Contributor contact details:
Mr Thabang Makola
South African National Biodiversity Institute
Date Published:
2026-02-09
Photo credit:
© T. Makola
bottom of page