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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:
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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