RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Preserving microsatellites? Conservation genetics of the giant Galápagos tortoise
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 101980
DO 10.1101/101980
A1 Etienne Loire
A1 Nicolas Galtier
YR 2017
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/01/20/101980.abstract
AB Conservation policy in the giant Galápagos tortoise, an iconic endangered animal, has been assisted by genetic markers for ~15 years: mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite loci have been used to delineate thirteen (sub)species, between which hybridization is prevented. Here, comparative reanalysis of a previously published NGS data set reveals a conflict with traditional markers. Genetic diversity and population substructure in the giant Galápagos tortoise are found to be particularly low, questioning the genetic relevance of current conservation practices.