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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:
Amphibian
Estimated genome size:
Size:
115 to 147mm
Distribution:
This species is restricted to a narrow coastal strip from the Cape Peninsula to Agulhas National Park, with intermediate populations now locally extinct.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
135.64 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
3.53 kilobases
Assembly N50:
81.63 kilobases
Contig number:
110 518
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Assembler used:
TBA
Genome Length:
3.6 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
86.7% [S: 86.3%, D: 0.4%]
BUSCO database:
TBA
Sclerophrys pantherina
Western Leopard Toad
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Importance:
The Western Leopard Toad is a narrow endemic of the Western Cape, South Africa, with several populations already lost. The remaining few are critical to the species’ survival. Although it has shown some adaptability to urban and agricultural landscapes, it persists only in these heavily modified areas. Growing threats in these environments place the remaining, genetically distinct, populations at high risk of extinction.
Sample Contributor contact details:
Dr Jessica da Silva
South African National Biodiversity Institute
Date Published:
2025-06-23
Photo credit:
© L. Verburgt
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