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Group:

Eudicot

Estimated genome size:

1.5 m in height

Size:

1.5 m in height

Distribution:

Brunia noduliflora occurs from the Cederberg southwards to the Cape Peninsula and eastwards as far as the Cockscomb in the Groot Winterhoek Mountains of the Eastern Cape, at altitudes from near sea level to approximately 1 500 m.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

39.88 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

16.91 kilobases

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Genome Length:

0.72 Gigabases

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

97.40% [S: 47.0%, D: 50.0%]

Importance:

Brunia noduliflora is the most widespread species in the subgenus Brunia and occurs across diverse fynbos habitats in the Cape Floristic Region. Its broad ecological range makes it valuable for studying diversification and adaptation within the Bruniaceae.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Leanne Dreyer
Stellenbosch University

Group:

Reptile

Estimated genome size:

Size:

Adults usually measure 30 - 45 cm, but in populations at the extremes of their distribution, they often attain 60 - 75 cm.

Distribution:

The leopard tortoise ranges widely across eastern and southern Africa, from
Ethiopia and Kenya southward through Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Eswatini, and South Africa. It inhabits savanna, grassland, and semi-arid scrub habitats, preferring loose soil for burrowing.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

66.19 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

9.32 kilobases

Assembly N50:

5 360.99 kilobases

Contig number:

2 219

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Assembler used:

Hifiasm

Genome Length:

2.46 Gigabases

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

100.0% [S: 97.3%, D: 2.7%]

BUSCO database:

eukaryota

Stigmochelys pardalis

Leopard tortoise

Species Card Details

Importance:

The leopard tortoise is a keystone species in South African savannas, grazing, dispersing seeds, and shaping microhabitats. Genome sequencing can reveal resilience traits, population connectivity, and guide conservation strategies to safeguard the species and maintain ecosystem stability under climate change.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Dr Zhongning Zhao
University of Free State

Date Published:

2026-02-04

Photo credit:

© Z. Zhao

Fauna

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