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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
Estimated genome size:
Size:
0.3 to 0.5m tall
Distribution:
Distribution includes the Namibia, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Lesotho, and Swaziland.
PromethION Sequencing Report:
Output:
105.33 Gigabases
Approximate N50:
11.21 kilobases
Assembly N50:
127.85 kilobases
Contig number:
8 626
Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:
Assembler used:
Flye
Genome Length:
0.46 Gigabases
BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):
98.4% [S: 79.1%, D: 19.3%]
BUSCO database:
viridiplantae
Xerophyta viscosa
Small black-stick lily
Importance:
Xerophyta species are desiccation tolerant, with leaves able to survive dehydration to below 5% relative water content. To identify the regulatory switches that protect against desiccation, multiple Xerophyta genomes can be compared. Although a genome assembly attributed to X. viscosa has been published, it is actually that of X. schlechteri; assembling the true X. viscosa genome will correct this and help identify conserved regulatory switches.
Date Published:
2026-02-10
Photo credit:
© M. Prag
Flora
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