Genetic diversity and species identity of the critically endangered Rote Island snake-necked turtle, Chelodina mccordi Rhodin, 1994

Abstract

The endemic Chelodina mccordi is considered extinct in the wild; however, ex-situ populations are thriving and sampled for our genetic diversity assessment. We used three sequences resulting from blood and tissue samples of five individual turtles amplified for 650-bp cytochrome oxidase I (COI) fragment of the mitochondrial DNA. We analysed a total of 30 barcoding DNA sequences for phylogenetic relationships and genetic distances among Chelodina spp. Nucleotide diversity of eight C. mccordi samples is 0.007 ± 0.001 with a haplotype diversity of 0.893 ± 0.086. All these samples form a monophyletic clade that is sister to a clade of Australian and New Guinean long-necked turtles. Genetic distances calculated using Kimura 2-paramater model among C. mccordi sequences range between 0.2% and 1.5%, while a few others are without distance. The shortest genetic distance is between individuals from Rote Island, whereas the longest distance was found between individuals, each of which was derived from parental stocks originating in Rote and Timor islands. A genetic distance of 1.1% - 1.5% is likely to denote distinction at subspecies level. Results of this study could help in reintroducing captive individuals into their natural habitats. Thus, captive breeding programme of this species may help its conservation.

Biodiversity catastrophic: Overexploitation of the endemic fauna in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

“…[5], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22] [23], [24], [25] Book [26], [27] - [26], [27] Technical report [28], [29], [34] [30] [31], [35] Online sources [10], [36], [37] [3] [38], [39], [40] CS: Cacatua sulphurea; CC: Cacatua citrinocristata; CM: Chelodina mccordi; NF: Nisaetus floris…”

“…Biodiversity study in East Nusa Tenggara has been shown to need more attention. Based on IUCN red list status from table 2, 17.4% are listed as Critically Endangered (CR), even Roti Island snake-necked Extinct in the Wild based on[18]. Also, from table 1, 47.8% of species are listed as Endangered (EN), and 34.8% are listed as Vulnerable (VU).…”

Effect of Rote Tortoise Habitat on Morphology and Anatomical Systems of the Body and Government Efforts to Overcome Extinction

“…Gambar 5. Jantan Dewasa (Devi et al, 2021) Bagian luar terdapat bagian mencolok yakni bagian bawah atau ventral disebut plastron dan bagian atas yang menutupi punggung disebut karapas atau carapace. Karapas atau tempurungnya melengkung condong ke atas dan berbentuk lonjong lebar ke belakang.…”

Turtles in Malaysia: A Review of Conservation Status and a Call for Research

“…The snake-necked turtles of the Chelodina family are an ancient group of expert fish-eaters whose long necks must be turned sideways to reach beneath the carapace [ 37 ]. There are 16 species in the world under this family [ 31 , 38 ].…”