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Group:

Reptile

Estimated genome size:

17 cm maximum (total body length).

Size:

17 cm maximum (total body length).

Distribution:

It is found in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Western Cape and Northern Cape
provinces of South Africa.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

89.36 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

6.51 kilobases

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Genome Length:

4.53 Gigabases

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

99.6% [Single: 50.6%, Duplicated: 49%]

Importance:

The greater padloper tortoise is endemic to South Africa and contributes to ecosystem stability in the Karoo. As the largest species in the genus Homopus, it is of scientific interest for studies of limb development, as it is one of only two Homopus species with four digits on each foot.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Zhongning Zhao
University of the Free State

Group:

Monocot

Genome size:

739 million DNA base pairs (0.74 Gigabases)

Size:

7 to 8 meters in height

Distribution:

The Natal wild banana is native to eastern South Africa, growing in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and further north. It is restricted to the evergreen coastal forests, and thickets.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

58.71 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

9.69 kilobases

Assembly N50:

TBA

Contig number:

TBA

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Assembler used:

TBA

Genome Length:

568.92 million bases (0.57 Gigabases)

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

98.8% [S: 57.6%, D: 41.2%]

BUSCO database:

TBA

Strelitzia nicolai

Natal wild banana

Species Card Details

Importance:

The Natal wild banana is one of the three largest Strelitzia species. It produces flowers with white sepals and blue petals. It plays a key ecological role in coastal forests, providing food and shelter for birds and other animals.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Prof. Eshchar Mizrachi
University of Pretoria

Date Published:

2025-02-17

Awaiting DOI

Photo credit:

© G.J. Mann

Flora

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