Jonathan J. Fong1, James F. Parham2, Shi Haitao3, Bryan L. Stuart4, Ronald L. Carter5

Asian turtles increasingly face an extinction crisis due to the demand for food and medicine, so it is imperative that systematisists accurately determine species diversity in order to effectively guide conservation strategies. We surveyed mitochondrial and nuclear DNA variation of the heavily exploited Mauremys mutica complex, a polytypic clade of Asian turtles that contains the endangered M. mutica from Japan, Taiwan, and China, and the critically endangered M. annamensis from central Vietnam. We discovered extensive mitochondrial DNA variation among populations that did not correspond to the currently recognized species delineations—Mauremys mutica is paraphyletic with respects to M. annamensis. In addition, M. annamensis exhibits previously unknown genetic structure by appearing in two polyphyletic clades. Nuclear data shows similar results. Working with rare and endangered animals, we are forced to supplement our known-locality specimens with trade animals to elucidate minimum estimates of genetic diversity. Using trade specimens has limitations, since localities are unknown and there is the risk of hybridization from turtle farms. Unfortunately, many conservation-oriented captive breeding efforts for turtles are also based on trade samples such as the ones studied here. These efforts include plans to breed trade-rescued individuals based on morphology, and release their progeny into the wild. Given our genetic survey of trade samples, we raise serious questions about the efficacy of these programs since there seems to be greater diversity than previously believed, and that this molecular diversity does not correspond to morphological diversity.
Genetics and Basic Science Session: Oral (Student)

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