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Group:

Eudicot

Estimated genome size:

1.5 m

Size:

1.5 m

Distribution:

Maiden's Quiver Tree is restricted to desert mountainsides and arid ravines in South Africa (Richtersveld of the Northern Cape) and southern Namibia. Its distribution is concentrated within the Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

379.51 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

12.36 kilobases

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Genome Length:

11.21 Gigabases

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

99.9% [S: 92.7%, D: 6.8%]

Importance:

Aloidendron ramosissimum is threatened by plant theft, overgrazing, and ongoing habitat degradation. Its slow growth and low resilience mean disturbances, drought, and increased grazing pressure have long-term impacts, especially on juvenile survival. Climate change and possible mining activities are expected to further reduce its suitable habitat.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Thabang Makola
South African Biodiversity Institute

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

Species Card Details

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of a wild bull elephant from a native KZN population, providing valuable genetic data beyond existing zoo based or outdated sequences.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

Awaiting DOI

Photo credit:

© R. Moolman

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