Identification of Gangetic turtles based on species-specific variations on mitochondrial cyt b and nuclear Cmos genes

Abstract

The freshwater turtles of the iconic Ganga river system are one such group of vulnerable turtles. Despite common knowledge of the severity of turtle trade in the region, Gangetic turtles continue being poached in large volume, evident from the numerous and extensive seizures across the Gangetic belt. The intensive wildlife trade in Gangetic turtles warrants immediate conservation and management attention. The genetic resource is a vital forensic tool to monitor the Gangetic turtle species to understand the pattern of illegal wildlife trade. We collected 64 softshell and hardshell turtles samples from the Ganga river and report species-specific variations among turtle species based on mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (1140 bp) and nuclear Cmos gene (602 bp). This genetic information will help augment the molecular database to identify Gangetic turtle species and lineages effectively. We identified unique species-specific variable sites, haplotypes, and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and analyzed genetic differentiation and phylogenetic relationships. The unique mitochondrial and nuclear signatures exhibited in this study will add to baseline information on the genetic relationship of turtles of river Ganga. It will be helpful in wildlife forensics characterization of the endangered turtles. It will also help in formulating in-situ and ex-situ conservation and management plan to improve the rescue and rehabilitation strategies.