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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:
4 340 million DNA base pairs (4.34 Gigabases)
Size:
3 – 4 meters
Distribution:
Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
110.47 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
8.38 kilobases
Assembly N50:
TBA
Contig number:
TBA
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Assembler used:
TBA
Genome Length:
3.16 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
98.8% [S: 82.7%, D: 15.3%]
BUSCO database:
TBA
Loxodonta africana
African savanna elephant

Importance:
African savanna elephants are the largest land animals and crucial ecosystem engineers. Listed as endangered by the IUCN Red list, they are vital for South African tourism. This project aims to sequence the genome of a wild bull elephant from a native KZN population, providing valuable genetic data beyond existing zoo based or outdated sequences.
Sample Contributor contact details:
Dr Carel J. Oosthuizen
University of Pretoria
Date Published:
2025-02-17
Photo credit:
© R. Moolman
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