Forgotten treasures – using historic collections to assess the diversity and systematics of wide-ranging taxa: A case study using African Hinge-back Tortoises (Kinixys spp.)
Final Report Abstract
The integration of molecular genetic approaches into taxonomy has accelerated the discovery of unrecognized taxa, revealing that many putatively widespread species represent species complexes. Seemingly common species may harbor narrowly distributed and endangered taxa, warranting greater attention. However, obtaining range-wide sampling for taxa crossing many political borders is expensive, time-consuming, and hindered by legislative restrictions. Specimens from scientific collections offer an appealing alternative, but DNA from historic specimens is often degraded and contaminated. Processing requires specialized facilities and techniques, but advances in Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and hybridization-based enrichment have revolutionized the use of historic and even subfossil material. This project used NGS and ancient DNA approaches to study the diversity of three wide-ranging tortoise species (Kinixys belliana, K. spekii, and K. zombensis) using historic collection material. I reassessed species identifications of name-bearing type specimens and synonyms to refine taxonomy and update range estimates. Additionally, I analyzed range-wide genetic diversity in the genus using a multi-locus approach with mitochondrial and nuclear data from fresh and historic samples, a process applicable to other vertebrates. My analysis provided valuable insights into the phylogeography and taxonomy of Kinixys, uncovering numerous misidentifications and unresolved taxonomic relationships that necessitate systematic revisions and updates of geographic range estimates with significant expansion for some and drastic reduction for other taxa. For one species, I identified pronounced genetic structure, with three previously unrecognized and genetically distinct groups whose distributions are separated by biogeographic barriers. A similar pattern is suspected in at least one other species, though further research is required to confirm this. My findings highlight the immense value of historical collection materials for genetic studies on wide-ranging taxa and underscore the urgent need for integrative taxonomy as a foundation for effective conservation measures.
Publications
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Geographic range extension of Speke‘s Hinge-back Tortoise Kinixys spekii Gray, 1863. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. 13(2): 61-67
Ihlow, F., Farooq, H., Qvoždík, V., Hofmeyr, M., Conradie, W., Campbell, P.D., Harvey, J., Verburgt, L. & Fritz, U.
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Geographic range extension for the Lobatse Hinge-back Tortoise Kinixys lobatsiana (Power, 1927) with first records from the Soutpansberg region. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. 14: 132-139
Ihlow, F., Van Huyssteen, R., Vamberger, M., Cory-Toussaint, D., Hofmeyr, M.D. & Fritz, U.
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Molecular phylogeny of African Hinge-back Tortoises (Kinixys). 114th annual conference of the German Zoological Society DZG Bonn, Germany (oral presentation)
Ihlow, F.
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Phylogeny and phylogeography of chelonians from sub-Saharan Africa—A review of current knowledge in tribute to Margaretha D. Hofmeyr. Vertebrate Zoology, 72, 951-969.
Fritz, Uwe; Tolley, Krystal A.; Vamberger, Melita & Ihlow, Flora
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Phylogeography of the serrated Hinge-back Tortoise Kinixys erosa. 20th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles, Tucson, USA (oral presentation)
Ihlow, F., et al.
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Skeletal repatterning enhances the protective capacity of the shell in African hinge‐back tortoises (Kinixys). The Anatomical Record, 306(6), 1558-1573.
Cordero, Gerardo A.; Vamberger, Melita; Fritz, Uwe & Ihlow, Flora
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What we know about the Savannah species of Kinixys – a field research report from South Africa. Invited speaker. 19th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles, virtual symposium, USA (invited oral presentation)
Ihlow, F.
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Ancient DNA elucidates the lost world of western Indian Ocean giant tortoises and reveals a new extinct species from Madagascar. Science Advances, 9(2).
Kehlmaier, Christian; Graciá, Eva; Ali, Jason R.; Campbell, Patrick D.; Chapman, Sandra D.; Deepak, V.; Ihlow, Flora; Jalil, Nour-Eddine; Pierre-Huyet, Laure; Samonds, Karen E.; Vences, Miguel & Fritz, Uwe
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Molecular phylogeny of African Hinge-back Tortoises (Kinixys). 15th Herpetological association of Africa HAA, Hoedspruit, South Africa (oral presentation)
Ihlow, F.
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Using Camera Traps to determine activity patterns and burrow use in Speke’s Hingeback Tortoise. 22th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles, Tucson, USA (oral presentation)
Ihlow, F.
