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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:
Monocot
Estimated genome size:
Size:
0.5 m in height
Distribution:
The shores of the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
227.85 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
13.26 kilobases
Assembly N50:
8 949.62 kilobases
Contig number:
3 107
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Assembler used:
Hifiasm
Genome Length:
10.54 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
99.5% [S: 11.3%, D: 88.0%]
BUSCO database:
viridiplantae
Thinopyrum distichum
Coastal Wheatgrass
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Importance:
It is the sole species of the genus that occurs in the Southern Hemisphere. It is a wild relative of bread wheat and is a halophyte. If the genes conferring its ability to tolerate high levels of soil salinity can be transferred to commercial wheat, it has the potential to expand wheat production and increase food security.
Date Published:
2025-08-27
Photo credit:
© D. Richardson
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