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Group:
Moncot
Estimated genome size:
50 to 100 cm in height
Size:
50 to 100 cm in height
Distribution:
Endemic to South Africa, the Miracle Clivia Lily is known to occur in the Oorlogskloof area near the town of Nieuwoudtville in the Northern Cape. The species has only been recorded in the Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve, where two subpopulations are found on the Bokkeveldberge plateau.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
426.45 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
12.38 kilobases
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Genome Length:
15.12 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
99.3% [S: 69.9%, D: 29.4%]
Importance:
Clivia mirabilis survives in an unusually arid environment compared with other Clivia species, which is why it is known as the “miracle lily”. Its distinctive hardiness has made it desirable for breeders seeking to improve ornamental Clivia lines. However, heavy illegal poaching has removed thousands of plants from the wild. This leaves the remaining population dangerously small and at risk of extinction in its natural habitat.
Sample Contributor contact details:
Felix Middleton
Clivia Society of South Africa
Group:
Reptile
Estimated genome size:
Size:
Maximum 15 cm for female, 10.5 cm for male
Distribution:
The Karoo tent tortoise occurs only in the lower and central Karoo region, between Touws River and Makhanda.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
107.98 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
10.35 kilobases
Assembly N50:
3 436.17 kilobases
Contig number:
7201
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Assembler used:
TBA
Genome Length:
2.24 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
99.6% [S: 97.3%, D: 2.4%]
BUSCO database:
TBA
Psammobates tentorius tentorius
Karoo tent tortoise
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Importance:
The Karoo tent tortoise is an important seed disperser for various plant species and endemic to South Africa. It is arguably one of the most taxonomically confusing and morphologically polymorphic species of Testudines. It is listed as "Near Threatened" by the IUCN and is confined to the central and lower Karoo regions. Remarkably, no genomic studies have been conducted on any tortoise species in Africa or across the entire Southern Hemisphere.
Sample Contributor contact details:
Dr Zhongning Zhao
University of the Free State
Date Published:
2025-07-17
Photo credit:
© Zhongning Zhao
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