top of page
.jpg)
Group:
Bird
Size:
20 cm (length)
Distribution:
Two disjunct populations occur. The subspecies Polihierax semitorquatus semitorquatus (sequenced here) occurs from Angola to northern South Africa, while P. s. castanonotus is found from South Sudan to Somalia and south to Tanzania.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
78.63 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
5.48 kilobases
Assembly N50:
2 723.9 kilobases
Contig number:
3 739
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Assembler used:
TBA
Genome Length:
1.22 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
99.6% [S: 98.4%, D: 1.2%]
BUSCO database:
TBA
Importance:
The pygmy falcon is important to South African biodiversity, helping control insect and small vertebrate populations in arid environments. It exhibits cooperative breeding, where non breeding individuals assist in raising chicks, which may enhance breeding success. Finally, the pygmy falcon does not build its own nest but instead breeds in the large communal nests of the sociable weaver in South Africa. This a fascinating example of a commensal relationship, with some mutualistic benefits.
Date Published:
2025-07-17
Awaiting DOI
Photo credit:
© Robert Thomson
Fauna
bottom of page