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Group:

Insect

Estimated genome size:

Greater than 18 mm

Size:

Greater than 18 mm

Distribution:

Anthia decemguttata inhabits sandy areas of the Karoo and fynbos regions in South Africa and Namibia. In South Africa, it occurs in the Northern Cape, Western Cape and Eastern Cape.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

71.66 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

3.56 kilobases

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Genome Length:

0.51 Gigabases

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

100.0% [S: 98.8%, D: 1.2%]

Importance:

Anthia decemguttata belongs to the family Carabidae, a group of beetles that includes important predators. Carabids are abundant in agricultural fields worldwide and may help control agricultural pests naturally.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Charlene Janion-Scheepers
University of Cape Town

Group:

Insect

Estimated genome size:

Size:

6-7 mm long

Distribution:

Eastern Cape in the area near Gqeberha and Kariega.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

29.49 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

4.85 kilobases

Assembly N50:

21 039 kilobases

Contig number:

507

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Assembler used:

Hifiasm

Genome Length:

0.28 Gigabases

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

99.6% [S: 99.0%, D: 0.6%]

BUSCO database:

insecta

Porthetes sp. nov.
(ex Encephalartos horridus)

Cycad pollination weevil

Species Card Details

Importance:

Porthetes beetles are pollinators of Encephalartos cycads. Both the cycads and weevils have a high extinction risk. Genome sequencing provides a basis for further molecular studies to understand host specificity and options for conserving and recovering pollinator interactions.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Prof. John Donaldson
Wild Cycad Conservancy; University of Pretoria

Date Published:

2025-12-01

Photo credit:

© Wild Cycad Conservancy

Fauna

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