Geographic patterns of genetic variation in a broadly distributed marine vertebrate: new insights into loggerhead turtle stock structure from expanded mitochondrial DNA sequences

Previous genetic studies have demonstrated that natal homing shapes the stock structure of marine turtle nesting populations. However, widespread sharing of common haplotypes based on short segments of the mitochondrial control region often limits resolution of the demographic connectivity of populations. Recent studies employing longer control region sequences to resolve haplotype sharing have focused on regional assessments of genetic structure and phylogeography. Here we synthesize available control region sequences for loggerhead turtles from the Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic, and western Indian Ocean basins. These data represent six of the nine globally significant regional management units (RMUs) for the species and include novel sequence data from Brazil, Cape Verde, South Africa and Oman. Genetic tests of differentiation among 42 rookeries represented by short sequences (380 bp haplotypes from 3,486 samples) and 40 rookeries represented by long sequences (~800 bp haplotypes from 3,434 samples) supported the distinction of the six RMUs analyzed as well as recognition of at least 18 demographically independent management units (MUs) with respect to female natal homing. A total of 59 haplotypes were resolved. These haplotypes belonged to two highly divergent global lineages, with haplogroup I represented primarily by CC-A1, CC-A4, and CC-A11 variants and haplogroup II represented by CC-A2 and derived variants. Geographic distribution patterns of haplogroup II haplotypes and the nested position of CC-A11.6 from Oman among the Atlantic haplotypes invoke recent colonization of the Indian Ocean from the Atlantic for both global lineages. The haplotypes we confirmed for western Indian Ocean RMUs allow reinterpretation of previous mixed stock analysis and further suggest that contemporary migratory connectivity between the Indian and Atlantic Oceans occurs on a broader scale than previously hypothesized. This study represents a valuable model for conducting comprehensive international cooperative data management and research in marine ecology

Tortuga olivácea – Lepidochelys olivacea (Eschscholtz, 1829)

Mamíferos - Orden Quelonios - Familia Cheloniidae en la Enciclopedia Virtual de Vertebrados Españoles, http://www.vertebradosibericos.org/.A comprehensive review of the natural history of the Olive Ridley Lepidochelys olivacea in Spain.Peer reviewe

Tortuga verde – Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758)

Reptiles - Orden Quelonios - Familia Cheloniidae en la Enciclopedia Virtual de Vertebrados Españoles, http://www.vertebradosibericos.org/. Versiones anteriores: 26-04-2011A comprehensive review of the natural history of the green turtle Chelonia mydas in Spain.Peer reviewe

The international importance of the archipelago of Cape Verde for marine turtles, in particular the loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta

The shores of Cape Verde hosts one of the most important nesting populations of the loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta in the world, as well as important feeding grounds for hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata and green turtles Chelonia mydas. In the past few years, a number of scientific studies have demonstrated the relevance of the waters and beaches of this archipelago for the conservation of these endangered marine megavertebrates. This article aims to bring together the most relevant scientific information published on the subject so far. In addition, we will provide an overview of the current situation of sea turtles in Cape Verde, their conservation status and their importance in an international context.A costa de Cabo Verde possui uma das maiores colónias reprodutoras da tartaruga comum Caretta caretta no mundo, bem como uma área muito importante para a alimentação de juvenis de tartaruga de-casco-levantado Eretmochelys imbricata e de tartaruga verde Chelonia mydas. Nos últimos anos, vários estudos científicos têm demonstrado a importância das águas costeiras e das praias do arquipélago para a conservação desta megafauna marinha que se encontra em perigo de extinção. Este artigo tem por objectivo compilar as informações científicas mais relevantes que têm sido publicadas sobre o assunto até agora. Além disso, vamos tentar fornecer uma visão global da situação actual das tartarugas marinhas em Cabo Verde, seu estado de conservação e sua importância no contexto internacional

Republic of Cape Verde 4 Direcção Geral do Ambiente

ABSTRACT The shores of Cape Verde hosts one of the most important nesting populations of the loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta in the world, as well as important feeding grounds for hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata and green turtles Chelonia mydas. In the past few years, a number of scientific studies have demonstrated the relevance of the waters and beaches of this archipelago for the conservation of these endangered marine megavertebrates. This article aims to bring together the most relevant scientific information published on the subject so far. In addition, we will provide an overview of the current situation of sea turtles in Cape Verde, their conservation status and their importance in an international context. RESUMO A costa de Cabo Verde possui uma das maiores colónias reprodutoras da tartaruga comum Caretta caretta no mundo, bem como uma área muito importante para a alimentação de juvenis de tartaruga de-casco-levantado Eretmochelys imbricata e de tartaruga verde Chelonia mydas. Nos últimos anos, vários estudos científicos têm demonstrado a importância das águas costeiras e das praias do arquipélago para a conservação desta megafauna marinha que se encontra em perigo de extinção. Este artigo tem por objectivo compilar as informações científicas mais relevantes que têm sido publicadas sobre o assunto até agora. Além disso, vamos tentar fornecer uma visão global da situação actual das tartarugas marinhas em Cabo Verde, seu estado de conservação e sua importância no contexto internacional

Origin and dispersal routes of foreign green and Kemp’s ridley turtles in Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean water

The presence of the green and Kemp’s ridley turtles is rare at Atlantic and Mediterranean Spanish waters, but the records have increased during the last decades.We reported a new set of records and reviewed all the historical observations of these species. The analysis of a mitochondrial DNA fragment of the newest records provided insights about the origin of the individuals. The Kemp’s ridley turtles arrived from the western Atlantic nesting beaches, although the discovering of a new haplotype suggested the existence of an unknown or low sampled nesting area of origin. Furthermore, the genetic analysis was crucial for the species identification in one specimen, hence recommending the use of genetic markers to confirm the presence of a rare species. All green turtles presented haplotypes exclusive from Atlantic nesting beaches and concentrated in the African populations. Thus, the closest eastern Mediterranean nesting areas were discarded as source populations and a new migration route for this species was described.Peer reviewe

Geographic patterns of genetic variation in a broadly distributed marine vertebrate: new insights into loggerhead turtle stock structure from expanded mitochondrial DNA sequences

Previous genetic studies have demonstrated that natal homing shapes the stock structure of marine turtle nesting populations. However, widespread sharing of common haplotypes based on short segments of the mitochondrial control region often limits resolution of the demographic connectivity of populations. Recent studies employing longer control region sequences to resolve haplotype sharing have focused on regional assessments of genetic structure and phylogeography. Here we synthesize available control region sequences for loggerhead turtles from the Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic, and western Indian Ocean basins. These data represent six of the nine globally significant regional management units (RMUs) for the species and include novel sequence data from Brazil, Cape Verde, South Africa and Oman. Genetic tests of differentiation among 42 rookeries represented by short sequences (380 bp haplotypes from 3,486 samples) and 40 rookeries represented by long sequences (~800 bp haplotypes from 3,434 samples) supported the distinction of the six RMUs analyzed as well as recognition of at least 18 demographically independent management units (MUs) with respect to female natal homing. A total of 59 haplotypes were resolved. These haplotypes belonged to two highly divergent global lineages, with haplogroup I represented primarily by CC-A1, CC-A4, and CC-A11 variants and haplogroup II represented by CC-A2 and derived variants. Geographic distribution patterns of haplogroup II haplotypes and the nested position of CC-A11.6 from Oman among the Atlantic haplotypes invoke recent colonization of the Indian Ocean from the Atlantic for both global lineages. The haplotypes we confirmed for western Indian Ocean RMUs allow reinterpretation of previous mixed stock analysis and further suggest that contemporary migratory connectivity between the Indian and Atlantic Oceans occurs on a broader scale than previously hypothesized. This study represents a valuable model for conducting comprehensive international cooperative data management and research in marine ecology

Chronogram for loggerhead turtle 800 base pair control region haplotypes based on a Bayesian relaxed-clock model as implemented in BEAST.

<p>The x-axis indicates divergence times in million years before present. 95% highest posterior density (HPD) intervals are indicated for major tree nodes. RFLP haplotype names <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0085956#pone.0085956-Bowen4" target="_blank">[13]</a> are included in parentheses beside their sequence-based haplotype designations. Haplotypes present in Indian Ocean rookeries are shaded in blue.</p

Sample sites for rookery haplotype data for the six regional management units in this analysis.

<p>Rookery abbreviations are detailed in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0085956#pone.0085956.s001" target="_blank">Table S1</a>. Solid lines and dashed circles indicate proposed management unit divisions for recognition of demographically isolated nesting populations (including those that were not genetically well differentiated), but do not define precise boundaries.</p

Unrooted parsimony network for ∼800 base pair Atlantic, Mediterranean, and western Indian Ocean loggerhead haplotypes.

<p>SEUS are southeastern United States rookeries. Small filled circles indicate inferred haplotypes that were not detected.</p