Already too late? Massive trade in Indian star tortoises (Geochelone elegans) might have wiped out its phylogeographic differentiation

Abstract

Geochelone elegans is one of the most heavily traded tortoise species of the world, and confiscated tortoises are frequently released into the wild, without knowledge about their origin. Using for the first time samples from Pakistan and Sri Lanka, we examined phylogeographic differentiation of G. elegans using 2289 bp of mitochondrial DNA. We found weak intraspecific differentiation without a clear geographic pattern. We suggest that natural phylogeographic differentiation may have been already destroyed by massive releases of confiscated non-native tortoises. The presence of two distinct clades on Sri Lanka, however, could also be the result of a natural range expansion of a mainland lineage into the distribution range of a lineage endemic to Sri Lanka during Pleistocene low sea level stands. We propose that a systematic screening of the genetic differentiation of wild G. elegans should be conducted across its entire distribution range to provide a sound basis for the relocation of confiscated tortoises.

A case study on illegal reptile poaching from Balochistan, Pakistan

“…This plan must be consulted with scientific authorities to prevent improper handling of confiscated animals or their release to unsuitable or non-native areas (cf. Vamberger et al 2020). We propose that illegal poaching of venomous snakes for the purpose of venom extraction should be strictly banned and might only be permitted after conducting thorough population surveys.…”

“…Over-collection for food and hide has driven tortoises to extinction and severe decline in many regions (Pritchard 1996). Moreover, illegal collections and subsequent massive releases of confiscated non-native populations may destroy pattern of species with low vagility (Vamberger et al 2020). Trade in reptiles has been reviewed in some instances, such as trade in US reptile (Hoover 1998;Franke and Telecky 2001), chameleons (Carpenter et al 2004), snake and reptile skins (Dodd 1986;Jenkins and Broad 1994;Fitzgerald and Painter 2000;Zhou and Jiang 2004) and the trade of freshwater turtles destined for the Southeast Asian market (Jenkins 1995;van Dijk et al 2000).…”