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Group:
Reptile
Size:
10 – 20 cm in length
Distribution:
Scelotes fitzsimonsi is near endemic to South Africa, occurring along the coastal regions of northeastern KwaZulu-Natal, with a marginal occurrence in coastal Mozambique.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
61.76 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
5.61 kilobases
Assembly N50:
1 282.09 kilobases
Contig number:
5 954
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Assembler used:
Flye
Genome Length:
1.52 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
99.6% [S: 98.4%, D: 1.2%]
BUSCO database:
eukaryota
Importance:
As the only fully limbless Scelotes species, Fitzsimons' Dwarf Burrowing Skink provides a model for studying vertebrate limb regression and genomic evolution. Its restricted distribution across dune and estuarine habitats also makes it useful for comparative biogeography and molecular ecology studies.
Sample Contributor contact details:
Zhongning Zhao
University of the Free State
Date Published:
2026-09-15
Photo credit:
© G. Benson
Fauna
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