Mitochondrial DNA haplotyping of Testudo graeca on both continental sides of the Straits of Gibraltar

Testudo graeca is an endangered species of tortoise that inhabits Mediterranean areas of Africa, Asia, and Europe. Western populations are found on both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar. The effects of geographical isolation on genetic divergence were assessed by the sequence analysis of two mitoch...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of heredity 2000-01, Vol.91 (1), p.39-41
Main Authors: Alvarez, Y, Mateo, J A, Andreu, A C, Díaz-Paniagua, C, Diez, A, Bautista, J M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
cytochrome b
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
DNA, Mitochondrial - blood
DNA, Mitochondrial - genetics
Female
Genes
Genetics
Genetics, Population
Gibraltar
Haplotypes
Male
Phylogeny
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Reptiles & amphibians
Ribonucleic acid
RNA
rRNA 12S
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Testudines
Testudo graeca
Turtles - genetics
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Summary:Testudo graeca is an endangered species of tortoise that inhabits Mediterranean areas of Africa, Asia, and Europe. Western populations are found on both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar. The effects of geographical isolation on genetic divergence were assessed by the sequence analysis of two mitochondrial DNA regions of the 12S rRNA and cytochrome b genes. Four different haplotypes were identified. A single haplotype was shared by all Spanish and some east Moroccan specimens. Two haplotypes were unique to the west Moroccan T. graeca populations and allowed the clear discrimination between individual specimens found west of the Moulouya River. Phylogenetic analysis based on the estimation of nucleotide sequence distances of the haplotypes suggests an African origin for the Spanish populations and a subspecies status for the west Moroccan pool.
ISSN:0022-1503
1465-7333
DOI:10.1093/jhered/91.1.39