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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:
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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