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Group:
Reptile
Estimated genome size:
10 - 20 cm (total body length)
Size:
10 - 20 cm (total body length)
Distribution:
Endemic to the Republic of South Africa, occurring in Little Namaqualand from Port Nolloth to Clanwilliam.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
48.66 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
5.93 kilobases
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Genome Length:
1.56 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
98.8% [S: 96.9%, D: 2.0%]
Importance:
It serves as an important model species for studying specific stages of limb development within the genus Scelotes, representing an intermediate limb development stage (forelimb digits = 0; hindlimb digits = 2), and for investigating the genomic evolution of vertebrates. It has a restricted distribution and occurs in distinct habitats and regions, making it an excellent model species for biogeographic and molecular ecology studies.
Sample Contributor contact details:
Dr. Zhongning Zhao
University of Free State
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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