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Species Cards

Portulacaria afra

Spekboom is known for its carbon sequestration, adaptability to harsh environments and soil binding properties that can help prevent erosion. It has low water requirements and edible leaves that are high in Vitamin C, enjoyed by wild animals (especially elephants) and humans alike.

Spekboom

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Dichistius capensis

Galjoen is the national fish of South Africa. It is important to local commercial fisheries and is also popular as a game fish. It is currently not evaluated on the IUCN Red List. This is the first species in this genus to have its genome sequenced.

Galjoen

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Perna perna

The Brown mussel plays a major role as an ecosystem engineer; is an important human and wildlife food resource.

Brown mussel

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Sandelia bainsii

Used commercially as aquarium fish. Due to human impacts on riverine systems and the fact that it is preyed upon by introduced predators such as bass and sharptooth catfish, the Rocky kurper is listed as Endangered on IUCN Redlist. This is the first species in this genus to have its genome sequenced.

Rocky kurper

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Clarias theodorae

This fish is used for human consumption, is a commercial aquarium species, and is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Redlist.

Snake catfish

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Kneria auriculata

This fish species is a potential aquarium species and is listed as Least Concern on IUCN Redlist. This is the first species in this genus to have its genome sequenced.

Airbreathing shellear

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Oxalis livida

The Blue sorrel and relatives form an evolutionarily isolated lineage in African Oxalis. The attractive plants are also used in horticulture.

Blue sorrel

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Oxalis polyphylla

The species is of horticultural importance due to it’s striking flowers and unusual leaflets; sadly, it is underutilized in South African gardens

Many-leaf sorrel

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Mastacembelus frenatus

This species is used for human consumption but is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Redlist. This is the first species in the genome to have its genome sequenced.

East African spiny eel

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Lacustricola katangae

This is a commercially important aquarium fish. It is also harvested for consumption and for research. Considered Least Concern on IUCN Redlist. This is the first species in this genus to have its genome sequenced.

Striped topminnow

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Anguilla mossambica

Harvested and traded on a global scale for farming and human consumption, is also used as gamefish. This species is considered Near Threatened on IUCN Redlist.

African Longfin eel

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