Population genetics of the endangered Colombian turtle Podocnemis lewyana and molecular phylogney of the ancient South American and Malagsy river turtles (Reptilia: Testudines: Podocnemididae)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Uwe Fritz
• Subject Area: Systematics and Morphology (Zoology)
• Term: from 2008 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 58058566

I – Population genetic structure of Podocnemis lewyanaThe large Colombian turtle Podocnemis lewyana (IUCN Red List category “endangered”; Appendix II CITES convention) is threatened by habitat loss and persecution. We aim to investigate its genetic diversity, gene flow, and differentiation of populations throughout the species’ range using multiple nuclear microsatellite loci and a quickly evolving mitochondrial marker (control region) for designing priority populations for conservation that allow minimizing loss of genetic diversity.II – Molecular phylogeny of the family Podocnemididae (Testudines, Reptilia)Podocnemididae is an ancient group of turtles known since the Cretaceous. The eight species have relictual distributions (South America, Madagascar); all are endangered. Using mtDNA (12S rRNA, cyt-b) and nDNA sequences (cmos) we aim to (i) provide the first complete molecular phylogeny, (ii) reinvestigate the zoogeography (including estimation of divergence times of species), and (iii) test whether two distinct morphotypes of Podocnemis erythrocephala differ genetically, a question of high conservational relevance.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants