This World Wildlife Day, we’re introducing something new.
Each month, we’ll highlight a species sequenced through the 1KSA initiative, marking a genomic milestone in building South Africa’s biodiversity reference library.
We begin with the Dwarf Cushion Star.
#WorldWildlifeDay #1KSA

Amitermes hastatus Amitermes hastatus plays a significant role in South African biodiversity as a key decomposer in the fynbos biome, one of the world's biodiversity hotspots.

High-quality genome assembly of the termite Amitermes hastatus: the Black mound termite, a key decomposer of fynbos biome. Sequenced for the #1KSA project with
DIPLOMICS
🧬 #Genomics #Biodiversity #DNA
www.1ksa.org.za/species-card...

Sharks have been perfecting immunity for 400 million years, long before humans existed.
While our immune systems rely on learned responses, sharks use a powerful innate system that can adapt to new threats instantly. Evolution’s greatest survivors still have lessons to teach us.
#SharkScience #1KSA

Microhodotermes viator The Southern harvester termite is ecologically important in South African arid and semiarid ecosystems, particularly the Succulent Karoo and Nama Karoo biomes.

High-quality genome assembly of Microhodotermes viator: the Southern harvester termite and one of the most influential ecosystem engineers of South Africa’s arid biomes. Sequenced for the #1KSA project with @diplomics.bsky.social. 🧬
#Genomics #Biodiversity #Termites

www.1ksa.org.za/species-card...

The Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) genome has officially been published in Nature Scientific Data! A proud moment for South African science, proof that world-class genomics is thriving right here at home.
Read the full publication: doi.org/10.1038/s415...
#Spekboom #CenGen #1KSA #Genomics

South Africa’s coastlines are home to some of the most unique marine life on Earth, and we’re only just beginning to understand it at a genetic level. This World Oceans Day, we’re spotlighting a few of the marine species that have been sequenced by the 1KSA Project.
#WorldOceansDay #1KSA

This International Day for Biological Diversity, we at DIPLOMICS celebrate our 1KSA project, decoding South Africa's unique biodiversity, aiming to sequence 1,000 South African genomes, including plants, animals, microbes, and fungi.

#BiodiversityDay #1KSA #GenomicsForNature #ConservationScience

This week, the DIPLOMICS team joined a High Molecular Weight DNA Extraction Workshop at CenGen, where we got hands-on with one of our samples for the 1KSA project - Erica verticillata, an iconic South African plant. Huge thanks to the trainers and fellow attendees for a great session! #1KSA