Hybridization and low genetic diversity in the endangered Alabama red‐bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis)
Abstract Pseudemys alabamensis is one of the most endangered freshwater turtle species in the United States due to its restricted geographic distribution in coastal Alabama and Mississippi. Populations of P. alabamensis are geographically isolated from one another by land and saltwater, which could...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8964 |
| _version_ | 1811226897257857024 |
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| author | Nickolas Moreno Andrew Heaton Kaylin Bruening Emma Milligan David Nelson Scott Glaberman Ylenia Chiari |
| author_facet | Nickolas Moreno Andrew Heaton Kaylin Bruening Emma Milligan David Nelson Scott Glaberman Ylenia Chiari |
| author_sort | Nickolas Moreno |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Pseudemys alabamensis is one of the most endangered freshwater turtle species in the United States due to its restricted geographic distribution in coastal Alabama and Mississippi. Populations of P. alabamensis are geographically isolated from one another by land and saltwater, which could act as barriers to gene flow. It is currently unknown how differentiated these populations are from one another and whether they have experienced reductions in population size. Previous work found morphological differences between Alabama and Mississippi populations, suggesting that they may be evolutionarily distinct. Other Pseudemys turtles such as P. concinna and P. floridana occur naturally within the same geographic area as P. alabamensis and are known to hybridize with each other. These more abundant species could threaten the unique genetic identity of P. alabamensis through introgression. In order to evaluate the endangered status of P. alabamensis and the level of hybridization with other species, we used mitochondrial and nuclear microsatellite markers to assess genetic variation within and among populations of P. alabamensis throughout its range and estimate admixture with co‐occurring Pseudemys species. In P. alabamensis, we found no variation in mitochondrial DNA and an excess of homozygosity in microsatellite data. Our results show genetic differentiation between Alabama and Mississippi populations of P. alabamensis, and low estimated breeding sizes and signs of inbreeding for two populations (Fowl River, Alabama and Biloxi, Mississippi). We also found evidence of admixture between P. alabamensis and P. concinna/P. floridana. Based on our results, P. alabamensis is highly endangered throughout its range and threatened by both low population sizes and hybridization. In order to improve the species’ chances of survival, focus should be placed on habitat preservation, maintenance of genetic diversity within both the Mississippi and Alabama populations, and routine population‐monitoring activities such as nest surveillance and estimates of recruitment. |
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| id | doaj.art-6b3cbdeb0e7b40b3813b0168d2b0e622 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T09:33:33Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
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| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-6b3cbdeb0e7b40b3813b0168d2b0e6222022-12-22T03:38:18ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582022-06-01126n/an/a10.1002/ece3.8964Hybridization and low genetic diversity in the endangered Alabama red‐bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis)Nickolas Moreno0Andrew Heaton1Kaylin Bruening2Emma Milligan3David Nelson4Scott Glaberman5Ylenia Chiari6Department of Biology University of South Alabama Mobile Alabama USADepartment of Biology University of South Alabama Mobile Alabama USADepartment of Biology University of South Alabama Mobile Alabama USADepartment of Biology University of South Alabama Mobile Alabama USADepartment of Biology University of South Alabama Mobile Alabama USADepartment of Environmental Science and Policy George Mason University Fairfax Virginia USADepartment of Biology George Mason University Fairfax Virginia USAAbstract Pseudemys alabamensis is one of the most endangered freshwater turtle species in the United States due to its restricted geographic distribution in coastal Alabama and Mississippi. Populations of P. alabamensis are geographically isolated from one another by land and saltwater, which could act as barriers to gene flow. It is currently unknown how differentiated these populations are from one another and whether they have experienced reductions in population size. Previous work found morphological differences between Alabama and Mississippi populations, suggesting that they may be evolutionarily distinct. Other Pseudemys turtles such as P. concinna and P. floridana occur naturally within the same geographic area as P. alabamensis and are known to hybridize with each other. These more abundant species could threaten the unique genetic identity of P. alabamensis through introgression. In order to evaluate the endangered status of P. alabamensis and the level of hybridization with other species, we used mitochondrial and nuclear microsatellite markers to assess genetic variation within and among populations of P. alabamensis throughout its range and estimate admixture with co‐occurring Pseudemys species. In P. alabamensis, we found no variation in mitochondrial DNA and an excess of homozygosity in microsatellite data. Our results show genetic differentiation between Alabama and Mississippi populations of P. alabamensis, and low estimated breeding sizes and signs of inbreeding for two populations (Fowl River, Alabama and Biloxi, Mississippi). We also found evidence of admixture between P. alabamensis and P. concinna/P. floridana. Based on our results, P. alabamensis is highly endangered throughout its range and threatened by both low population sizes and hybridization. In order to improve the species’ chances of survival, focus should be placed on habitat preservation, maintenance of genetic diversity within both the Mississippi and Alabama populations, and routine population‐monitoring activities such as nest surveillance and estimates of recruitment.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8964conservationendemismHubbs principlemicrosatellitesmitochondrial DNAsoutheastern United States |
| spellingShingle | Nickolas Moreno Andrew Heaton Kaylin Bruening Emma Milligan David Nelson Scott Glaberman Ylenia Chiari Hybridization and low genetic diversity in the endangered Alabama red‐bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis) Ecology and Evolution conservation endemism Hubbs principle microsatellites mitochondrial DNA southeastern United States |
| title | Hybridization and low genetic diversity in the endangered Alabama red‐bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis) |
| title_full | Hybridization and low genetic diversity in the endangered Alabama red‐bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis) |
| title_fullStr | Hybridization and low genetic diversity in the endangered Alabama red‐bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hybridization and low genetic diversity in the endangered Alabama red‐bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis) |
| title_short | Hybridization and low genetic diversity in the endangered Alabama red‐bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis) |
| title_sort | hybridization and low genetic diversity in the endangered alabama red bellied turtle pseudemys alabamensis |
| topic | conservation endemism Hubbs principle microsatellites mitochondrial DNA southeastern United States |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8964 |
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