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Unlocking

THE SECRETS OF LIFE

1KSA Decodes South Africa's Biodiversity
Imagine a treasure trove of genetic information, holding the key to understanding the incredible diversity of life in South Africa.

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SPECIES

CARDS

204

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ASSEMBLED

GENOMES

217

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SAMPLES

SEQUENCED

260

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SAMPLES

RECEIVED

290

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SPECIES

NOMINATED

582

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BACTERIA

SEQUENCED

656

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Recently added Species

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Homopus femoralis

The greater padloper tortoise is endemic to South Africa and contributes to ecosystem stability in the Karoo.

Greater Padloper tortoise

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Homopus areolatus

The parrot-beaked tortoise (Homopus areolatus) is a South African endemic that contributes to vegetation dynamics and seed dispersal in the Cape Floristic Region.

Common Padloper

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Melianthus major

This species is not threatened, and its wild population is stable. It contributes to the biodiversity of southern Africa, with nectar-rich flowers that attract birds and bees.

Giant honey flower

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Recent Species Cards

Explore 1KSA Stories

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The White Milkwood

Meet Sideroxylon inerme, the white milkwood. The name literally means "iron wood", a nod to timber so dense it earned the tree a reputation long before anyone sequenced its DNA.

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This protected species is fire-resistant, acts as a windbreaker and is seen as an Ancient guardian of the Cape. The "Treaty Tree" in Woodstock, has stood for 500 years witnessing the country's colonial past.

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Exploring the mysteries of Bryde’s Whales

Join PhD student Dominique Paynee and Prof. Paulette Bloomer from the University of Pretoria as they explore the genetic secrets of South Africa’s Bryde's whale.

 

Discover how cutting-edge genomic techniques are being used to study population dynamics, understand local and global connectivity, and assess the conservation needs of these marine giants.

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Discovering the Genetic Secrets of the Cape Grysbok

Join Prof. Paulette Bloomer from the University of Pretoria, Dr Deon de Jager from the University of Copenhagen, and Dr Anri Van Wyk from the University of Pretoria as they delve into the fascinating world of the Cape Grysbok - Raphicerus melanotis.

1KSA is sequencing all orders of biodiversity!

1KSA Phylogenetic Tree

If exploring nature's marvels inspires you, then this genomic adventure awaits your curiosity and expertise!

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