Literaturdatenbank

WIKINDX Resources

Syed, G. P. , Advances in the central american river turtle’s conservation program. Paper presented at Turtle Survival Alliance 2007 Annual Meeting. 
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (01 Jan 2009 23:10:45 UTC)
Resource type: Proceedings Article
BibTeX citation key: Syed2007
View all bibliographic details
Categories: General
Keywords: Dermatemydidae, Dermatemys, Dermatemys mawii, Genetik = genetics, Habitat = habitat, Mittelamerika = Central America, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises
Creators: Syed
Collection: Turtle Survival Alliance 2007 Annual Meeting
Views: 4/874
Views index: 15%
Popularity index: 3.75%
Abstract     
The Central American river turtle Dermatemys mawii is the last surviving species of the family Dermatemydidae, and the most endangered turtle species of Mexico. To rescue the animal from extinction and restore its populations, it is important to enhance understanding of the biology of this specie and to create long term viable populations that could serve as assurance colonies, which could eventually be introduced when the conditions allow it. However, in order to create these assurance colonies it is crucial to know the genetic profile of this species and to solve the possible taxonomic uncertainties of the species by implementing a phylo-genetic study for this species. A State run turtle farm in Nacajuca, Tabasco houses more than 800 individuals of this species. This facility could provide stock for a restoration program and for long term sustainable use. It could also provide a genetically viable population for future reintroductions into protected environments. However the management of these animals is inadequate. The farm lacks accurate records; the origin of the majority of them is unknown. The turtles have been kept in the same tank for more than 20 years and allowed to mate without any management. Since the genetic characterization of this specie is unknown, it is possible that these animals represent more than one single genetic lineage. Thus, their offspring could be exposed to the risk of out-breeding depression. Molecular genetics provide a powerful tool to identify localities of origin of wildlife and molecular analyses now are a standard tool in taxonomic and phylogenetic studies. We have, to date, analyzed 93 tissue samples of D. mawii, with the Cytochrome b gene as a marker, from 7 different localities from Mexico and Guatemala, including samples from the Nacajuca farm. Seven different haplotypes have already been found. None has been identified as being exclusive to a locality. Two of them were very common, found in animals from almost all the localities. Doing a maximum parsimony and likehood test PAUP it was determined that one of the haplotypes found in Guatemala was the most ancient. This is the first step in the genetic characterization of this species; however significant progress has already been made. The next step will be to use other mitochondrial DNA, control region and microsatellite markers to create the whole profile. Currently we are working on these analyses and expect that more information will be obtained in the near future.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich  
wikindx 4.2.2 ©2014 | Total resources: 14930 | Database queries: 54 | Script execution: 0.29933 secs | Style: American Psychological Association (APA) | Bibliography: WIKINDX Master Bibliography