Conservation Genetics of the Critically Endangered Southern River Terrapin (Batagur affinis) in Malaysia: Genetic Diversity and Novel Subspecies Distribution Ranges

Abstract

A population genetics study was carried out on the Southern River terrapin (Batagur affinis) from four places in Peninsular Malaysia: Pasir Gajah, Kemaman (KE), Terengganu; Bukit Pinang (BP), Kedah; Bota Kanan (BK), Perak; and Bukit Paloh, Kuala Berang (KB), Terengganu. The goal of this study is to identify genetic differences in two subspecies of B. affinis in Malaysia. No previous reports were available on the genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationships and matrilineal hereditary structure of these terrapin populations in Malaysia. The sequencing identified 46 single nucleotide polymorphisms that defined six mitochondrial haplotypes in the Southern River terrapins. Tajima’s D test and Fu’s Fs neutrality tests were performed to evaluate the signatures of recent historical demographic events. Based on the tests, the B. affinis edwardmolli was newly subspecies identified in the west coast–northern region of Kedah state. In addition, the B. affinis edwardmolli in Bukit Paloh, Kuala Berang (KB), Terengganu (Population 4), was shown to have a single maternal lineage compared to other populations. Low genetic diversity, but significant genetic differences, were detected among the studied Southern River terrapin populations.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of the critically endangered Southern River Terrapin, Batagur affinis affinis (Reptilia: Geoemydidae)

“…the following sequences were used: Batagur affinis edwardmolli OQ645446 (Salleh et al. 2023 ), Batagur kachuga MZ562559 (Das et al. 2021 ), Batagur trivittata KX817298 (Feng et al.…”

“…However, Salleh et al. ( 2022 ) and Salleh et al ( 2023 ) recently stated B. affinis edwardmolli is also found in Kedah, Malaysia. On the other hand, the populations in the Terengganu river basin were found to be B. affinis edwardmolli .…”

Population genetics of the critically endangered three-striped turtle, Batagur dhongoka, from the Ganga river system using mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite analysis

“…Additionally, the utilization of the genomic approach by Çilingir et al 16 on the Burmese roofed turtle ( B. trivittata ) in Myanmar, as well as investigation of the southern river terrapin ( B. affinis ) in Cambodia 17 , provided estimations of wild breeder populations and insights into the present genetic structure. Recent study revealed low genetic diversity and notable genetic differences among the B. affinis populations in Peninsular Malaysia 18 .…”