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Group:
Reptile
Estimated genome size:
10 - 20 cm (total body length)
Size:
10 - 20 cm (total body length)
Distribution:
Endemic to the Republic of South Africa, occurring in Little Namaqualand from Port Nolloth to Clanwilliam.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
48.66 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
5.93 kilobases
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Genome Length:
1.56 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
98.8% [S: 96.9%, D: 2.0%]
Importance:
It serves as an important model species for studying specific stages of limb development within the genus Scelotes, representing an intermediate limb development stage (forelimb digits = 0; hindlimb digits = 2), and for investigating the genomic evolution of vertebrates. It has a restricted distribution and occurs in distinct habitats and regions, making it an excellent model species for biogeographic and molecular ecology studies.
Sample Contributor contact details:
Dr. Zhongning Zhao
University of Free State
Group:
Monocot
Estimated genome size:
Size:
160 mm
Distribution:
Widespread from southern Namibia to the southern part of the Western Cape, in semi-arid regions where it grows on flats and slopes. The plant is summer dormant surviving as a tuber, only appearing in autumn and grows form April to October when the region receives frontal winter rainfall.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
233.71 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
10.03 kilobases
Assembly N50:
3 206.48 kilobases
Contig number:
7610
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Assembler used:
Hifiasm
Genome Length:
10.45 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
99.3% [S: 6.1%, D: 93.2%]
BUSCO database:
viridiplantae
Trachyandra falcata
Namaqua wild cabbage
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Importance:
Namaqua wild cabbage (Veldkool) is a useful and edible plant in season. The young fleshy inflorescences are boiled with salt and added to meat dishes. The local Khoi people ate the young fleshy inflorescence, cooking them like Asparagus shoots (https://pza.sanbi.org/trachyandra-falcata).
Date Published:
2025-09-22
Photo credit:
© J.-H. Keet
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