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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:

Eudicot

Genome size:

391 million DNA base pairs (0.391 Gigabases)

Size:

5-10 cm

Distribution:

Coastal regions of the Western Cape from Onrus to Stilbaai and confined to sunny, rocky and sandy seashores.

PromethION Sequencing Report:

Output:

81.28 Gigabases

Approximate N50:

9.52 kilobases

Assembly N50:

TBA

Contig number:

TBA

Draft Genome Assembly Statistics:

Assembler used:

TBA

Genome Length:

0.53 Gigabases

BUSCO completeness score (single and duplicated genes):

99.3%

BUSCO database:

TBA

Prenia vanrensburgii

African Spinach

Species Card Details

Importance:

The soft fleshy leaves of the African Spinach / Seepampoen / Cape spinach are edible, and delicious when prepared in a stew, like spinach. First used by the Khoi and San.

Sample Contributor contact details:

Ernst Van Jaarsveld,
University of Western Cape | Babylonstoren

Date Published:

2024-06-12

Awaiting DOI

Photo credit:

© C. Whitehouse

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