Characterization of eight polymorphic microsatellite loci for the endangered Alabama red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis; Emydidae)

Hieb, Elizabeth E.; Jackson, T. G.; Nelson, David H.; Morris, Ashley B.

doi:10.1007/s12686-011-9458-8

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Eight of these microsatellites were later shown to amplify successfully in P . alabamensis (Hieb et al, 2011 ) and were used in our study. Each locus was run separately in 25 μl reactions prepared using 5 μl 5× GoTaq Flexi buffer, GoTaq Flexi DNA Polymerase 5 μ/μl (Promega), 0.5 μl 25 mM dNTPs, 2 μl 25 mM MgCl 2 , 1.2 μl each of 10 μM forward and reverse primers, 11.98 μl H 2 O, and 3 μl DNA extract.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hybridization and low genetic diversity in the endangered Alabama red‐bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis)

Moreno

Heaton

Bruening

et al. 2022

Ecology and Evolution

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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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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…floridana. Eight of these microsatellites were later shown to amplify successfully in P. alabamensis (Hieb et al, 2011) and were used in Weeks Bay were amplified due to the high number of turtles caught (N = 68); all other P. floridana individuals sampled elsewhere were amplified (Table 1).…”

Section: Microsatellite Dna Amplification and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Hybridization and low genetic diversity in the endangered Alabama red‐bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis)

Moreno

Heaton

Bruening

et al. 2022

Ecology and Evolution

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“…These microsatellites were originally developed by King and Julian (2004) who isolated 30 microsatellite loci in P. floridana . Eight of these microsatellites were later shown to amplify successfully in P. alabamensis (Hieb et al 2011) and were used in our study. Each locus was run separately in 25ul reactions prepared using 5ul 5x GoTaq Flexi buffer, GoTaq Flexi DNA Polymerase 5u/ul (Promega), 0.5ul 25mM dNTPs, 2ul 25mM MgCl2, 1.2ul each of 10mM forward and reverse primers, 11.98ul H2O, and 3ul DNA extract.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hybridization and Low Genetic Diversity in the Endangered Alabama Red-Bellied Turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis)

Moreno

Heaton

Bruening

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Pseudemys alabamensis is one of the most endangered turtle species in the United States due to its small population size and restricted geographic distribution in coastal Alabama and Mississippi. Increased urbanization and climate change impacts in the region further threaten this species. Populations of P. alabamensis are geographically isolated from one another by land and salt water, which could act as barriers to intraspecific gene flow. It is currently unknown how differentiated these isolated populations are from one another or 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 within the same geographic area as P. alabamensis and are known to hybridize with each other. These more abundant species could further 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 the mitochondrial (mtDNA) control region and nuclear microsatellite markers to assess genetic variation within and among populations of this species throughout its range and estimate admixture with co-occurring Pseudemys species. Genetic diversity of P. alabamensis was lower than expected at both markers (no variation in mtDNA and excess of homozygosity in microsatellites). We found evidence of genetic differentiation between Alabama and Mississippi populations as well as two populations (Fowl River, Alabama and Biloxi, Mississippi) with low estimated breeding sizes and signs of inbreeding. Finally, we found evidence of admixture of P. alabamensis with P. concinna/P. floridana and Pseudemys peninsularis (a species not native to Alabama or Mississippi). Our results indicate that 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 Mississippi and Alabama populations, and regular population monitoring activities such as nest surveillance and estimates of recruitment.

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“…Amplification was performed at six microsatellite loci characterized for use in P. alabamensis by Hieb et al 2011. Amplification followed the methods of Hieb et al 2011 (modified from King andJulian 2004).…”

Section: Dna Extraction and Amplificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Eggs from clutch 2 are excluded because maternal DNA for comparison amplified at only 3 of 6 loci. Allele sizes for loci GmuB91 and GmuD28 are adjusted from original sizes reported inHieb et al 2011 based on additional data M1 is maternal genotype Clutch 1, M3 is maternal genotype Clutch 3 a Non-maternal alleles/offspring DNA…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Oviductal eggs from road-kill turtles provide a novel source of DNA for population studies of the Alabama red-bellied turtle

Hieb

Nelson

Morris

2014

Conservation Genet Resour

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Genetic analyses of the endangered Alabama red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis) have the potential to answer questions regarding the species' population dynamics and reproductive ecology. Here we used oviductal eggs from road-kill female turtles to obtain DNA from P. alabamensis specimens. Six microsatellite markers were successfully amplified in egg yolks/developing embryos. DNA taken from multiple eggs in the same clutch showed variation in allele sizes at multiple loci, indicating amplification of both maternally and paternally contributed alleles. These results introduce DNA extraction from oviductal eggs from road-kill mortalities as a novel approach for examining the reproductive habits and population dynamics of P. alabamensis and similar turtle species. This approach may be particularly effective in exploring mating patterns and monitoring population stability in endangered species where traditional sampling methods are difficult to perform.

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Characterization of eight polymorphic microsatellite loci for the endangered Alabama red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis; Emydidae)

Cited by 5 publications

References 3 publications

Hybridization and low genetic diversity in the endangered Alabama red‐bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis)

Hybridization and low genetic diversity in the endangered Alabama red‐bellied turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis)

Hybridization and Low Genetic Diversity in the Endangered Alabama Red-Bellied Turtle (Pseudemys alabamensis)

Oviductal eggs from road-kill turtles provide a novel source of DNA for population studies of the Alabama red-bellied turtle

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