Conservation Genetics of the Asian Giant Soft-Shelled Turtle (Pelochelys cantorii) with Novel Microsatellite Multiplexes

Abstract

To understand the genetic structure of the protected turtle species Pelochelys cantorii we used transcriptome data to design more than 30,000 tri- and tetranucleotide repeat microsatellite primer pairs, of which 230 pairs were used for laboratory experiments. After two screenings, only 10 microsatellite markers with good specificity, high amplification efficiency, and polymorphisms were obtained. Using the selected primers, two multiplex PCR systems were established to compare and analyze the genetic diversity of artificially assisted breeding generations from four parents (two females and two males) continuously bred over two years. A total of 25 alleles were detected among the 10 microsatellite loci of the offspring. The polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.313–0.674, with an average of 0.401, among which two loci were highly polymorphic (PIC ≥ 0.5). The number of alleles was 2–5 and the number of effective alleles was 1.635–3.614. The observed heterozygosity was 0.341–0.813, with an average of 0.582, whereas the average expected heterozygosity was 0.389–0.725, with an average of 0.493. Moreover, on the basis of Nei’s genetic distance and the Bayesian clustering algorithm, the 182 offspring were divided into two subgroups, and the results corresponded to the two maternal lines. This is the first study to investigate the molecular markers of P. cantorii, and the results obtained can be used to protect genetic resources and provide a genetic basis for the design of population recovery plans.

Chromosome-Level Analysis of the Pelochelys cantorii Genome Provides Insights to Its Immunity, Growth and Longevity

“…It has a long history and is of great scientific value in paleogeography and paleontological evolution. This species is also an important indicator of ecological health of the Pearl River in China [3]. However, due to excessive economic development and human consumption, Pc.…”

“…The World Conservation Union approved Pc. cantorii as an endangered species in 2000, and it was later added to Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora treaty in 2003 [3].…”

“…Moreover, microsatellite multiplexes for Pc. cantorii were developed to evaluate the genetic diversity and structure of artificially assisted breeding generations [3]. The breakthrough of breeding technology of Pc.…”

“…cantorii, Hong et al reported the nesting behavior, clutch size, egg size, incubation period, as well as other reproductive characteristics of 4 adults (2♀, 2♂) under captive conditions from 2015 to 2017 [4]. Moreover, to fill in the blank in the study of the Asian giant soft-shelled turtle skeleton system, they described the morphological characteristics of the complete skeletal system of Asian giant soft-shelled turtles and included diagrams [5]. The skeletal structure of the Asian giant soft-shelled turtle and Chinese soft-shelled turtle had significant differences in snout length and the structure of third cervical spine.…”

Exploring the relationship between environmental DNA concentration and biomass in Asian giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii)

“…Since the 1970s, its distribution area has decreased, and its population has declined owing to habitat deterioration and poaching; it has been listed as a national-level aquatic natural wild animal in China ( Yuan et al, 2001 ). Research on turtles has mainly focused on breeding ( Zhu et al, 2015 ) and genetic biology ( Xie et al, 2022 ) of artificially preserved individuals. There are only 13 known natural P. cantorii individuals in China ( Hong et al, 2019 ), but four have been successfully bred with nearly 1,000 offspring ( Hong et al, 2022 ).…”