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Group:

Bird

Estimated genome size:

70 cm (height) 125 cm (wingspan)

Size:

70 cm (height) 125 cm (wingspan)

Distribution:

Prince Edward and Crozet Islands

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

65.49 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

5.48 thousand bases (kilobases)

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Genome Length:

1.22 Gigabases

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

98.8% [S: 98.0%, D: 0.8%]

Importance:

This species is critically endangered due to reduced breeding success and inhabits a relatively small geographic area. This genome will be used as a reference genome for future conservation genetics work.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Dr Monica Mwale
SANBI, Centre for Conservation Science

Group:

Mammal

Genome size:

260 Million DNA base pairs (2.6 Gb Giga bases)

Size:

12-13 meter TL

Distribution:

The inshore Bryde's whale population displays a restricted distribution to the continental shelf waters of South Africa, mostly focused on the Agulhas Bank. This population does move up the east coast during autumn and winter as they follow their main prey source, sardine.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

135.04 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

5.67 kilobases

Assembly N50:

TBA

Contig number:

TBA

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Assembler used:

TBA

Genome Length:

2364.73 Mb

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

98.1%

BUSCO database:

TBA

Balaenoptera brydei

Bryde's whale

Species Card Details

Importance:

As the only South African resident baleen whale dependent on economically important pelagic fish, the species has high economic and ecological value in the local marine environment. Many aspects of this elusive population remain unknown. A high quality reference genome is essential from a conservation perspective, as it will serve as a basis for downstream genomic comparisons on both local and global scales, ultimately providing a comprehensive overview of this population's viability.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Prof. Paulette Bloomer
University of Pretoria

Date Published:

2024-07-11

Awaiting DOI

Photo credit:

© C. Wilkinson

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