Login | Request Account (DAF staff only)

Phylogeography of the green turtle, Chelonia mydas, in the Southwest Indian Ocean

Share this record

Add to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to XAdd to WechatAdd to Microsoft_teamsAdd to WhatsappAdd to Any

Export this record

View Altmetrics

Bourjea, J., Lapegue, S., Gagnevin, L., Broderick, D., Mortimer, J.A., Ciccione, S., Roos, D. and Taquet, C. (2007) Phylogeography of the green turtle, Chelonia mydas, in the Southwest Indian Ocean. Molecular Ecology, 16 (1). pp. 175-186.

Full text not currently attached. Access may be available via the Publisher's website or OpenAccess link.

Article Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-294X.2006.03122.x

Publisher URL: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/home

Abstract

Patterns of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation were used to analyse the population genetic structure of southwestern Indian Ocean green turtle (Chelonia mydas) populations. Analysis of sequence variation over 396 bp of the mtDNA control region revealed seven haplotypes among 288 individuals from 10 nesting sites in the Southwest Indian Ocean. This is the first time that Atlantic Ocean haplotypes have been recorded among any Indo-Pacific nesting populations. Previous studies indicated that the Cape of Good Hope was a major biogeographical barrier between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans because evidence for gene flow in the last 1.5 million years has yet to emerge. This study, by sampling localities adjacent to this barrier, demonstrates that recent gene flow has occurred from the Atlantic Ocean into the Indian Ocean via the Cape of Good Hope. We also found compelling genetic evidence that green turtles nesting at the rookeries of the South Mozambique Channel (SMC) and those nesting in the North Mozambique Channel (NMC) belong to separate genetic stocks. Furthermore, the SMC could be subdivided in two different genetic stocks, one in Europa and the other one in Juan de Nova. We suggest that this particular genetic pattern along the Mozambique Channel is attributable to a recent colonization from the Atlantic Ocean and is maintained by oceanic conditions in the northern and southern Mozambique Channel that influence early stages in the green turtle life cycle.

Item Type:Article
Corporate Creators:Fisheries
Additional Information:© Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Keywords:Chelonia mydas; control region; Indian Ocean; mitochondrial DNA; Mozambique Channel; phylogeography.
Subjects:Aquaculture and Fisheries
Aquaculture and Fisheries > Fisheries
Aquaculture and Fisheries > Fisheries > Fishery research
Live Archive:03 Feb 2009 01:11
Last Modified:03 Sep 2021 16:47

Repository Staff Only: item control page