Biology subjects

Molotsi, A. H.

Publications and source records attributed to Molotsi, A. H..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Draft genome assembly of the Woolly bottlebrush (Greyia radlkoferi) using Pacbio long-read sequencing technology.

The Woolly bottlebrush (Greyia radlkoferi) is an indigenous South African plant known for its ornamental appeal and potential medicinal uses. It naturally grows on rocky hillsides and grasslands and highly resilient to drought, temperature fluctuations, and nutrient-poor soils. Its flavonoid-rich compounds with anti-tyrosinase activity support its traditional use to treat skin pigmentation disorders in humans. Despite its outstanding ecological and biochemical characteristics, no reference genome is available for Greyia radlkoferi. Therefore, this study aimed to generate the first draft genome of the Greyia Radlkofleri using PacBio Sequel IIe HiFi long read sequencing. A total of 56.07 Gb HiFi data was generated, providing a total genome coverage of 270X. The assembled genome size was 206Mb, with the longest scaffold being 13.9 Mb. The assembly statistics yielded a scaffold and contig N50 of 10.1 Mb, and an L50 of 9, and with an overall GC content of 34.9 %. The genome scope profile set at kmer = 17 indicated that the genome is triploid. The genome annotation predicted 17,804 protein-coding genes and 17,804 transcripts with an average gene length of 3,116.03 bp. This is the first draft genome of its kind for the Greyia genus and provides a foundation for future studies aimed at elucidating the genetic basis of its environmental resilience and the biosynthetic pathways underlying its medicinal properties.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2025

Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of Southern Africa Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) using PacBio HiFi and Omni-C sequencing

The Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) is a species of significant ecological and economic importance in Southern Africa. However, urbanization and water management challenges have led to the species being classified as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Despite its widespread distribution and significance as a key food source, the genetic architecture of Southern African O. mossambicus remains inadequately characterized. This gap in knowledge hinders efforts to conserve and manage the species effectively. This study presents a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly for a South African O. mossambicus assembled using both PacBio HiFi and Dovetail Omni-C sequencing. The 1.09 Gb assembly is highly contiguous, with 99.4% of sequences anchored into 22 chromosomes and a BUSCO completeness of 99.5%. We annotated 27,544 protein-coding genes. This genome provides an essential resource for preserving native biodiversity and enabling genomic selection for traits like disease resistance and growth performance within the South African aquaculture context.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2025

A chromosome-level genome assembly of the South African indigenous, Kolbroek pig, Sus scrofa domesticus

The Kolbroek pig is indigenous to South Africa and a breed of choice for smallholder farmers. This is mainly due to its characteristics, such as disease resistance and adaptability to tropical agroecological environments. Despite these desirable traits, the genomic architecture of this breed has not been explored. In this study, we report a high-quality genome assembly of the South African Kolbroek pig sequenced at 31 x coverage through a combination of PacBio Sequel IIe HiFi and Illumina Novaseq 6000 Omni-C sequencing. The assembled genome resulted in a length of 2.6 Gb in size, including 83 Scaffolds, which consist of 19 chromosome-size scaffolds with 138.7 Mb/48.5 Mb for scaffold/contig N50 respectively. The BUSCO completeness at 95.5 %. Genome annotation and structure prediction identified 22,025 genes with protein-coding potential. The genome provides an opportunity to investigate genetic variation across multiple pig breeds and serves as a genetic resource to develop breeding programs for the conservation and improvement of the Kolbroek pig.

genomics↗