Conservation Genetics of Freshwater Turtles

摘要: Turtles have long life spans, overlapping generations and promiscuous mating systems. Thus, they are an ideal system with which to investigate the application of conservation genetics methods assumptions long-lived organisms. also one most threatened groups vertebrates studies essential effective recovery turtle species. This thesis has two main objectives: 1) evaluate some common population respect turtles other organisms, 2) collect important information on in Ontario, can be used inform species recovery. In Chapters Two Three, I describe development novel microsatellite markers for snapping spiny softshell. Chapter Four demonstrate significant genetic structure populations endangered spotted find that “bottleneck tests” may fail detect recent declines small populations. show do not typical correlation between size diversity. Five use developed document widespread first time. compare these results from test traditionally accepted hypothesis diversity is reduced small, isolated compared large, connected As Four, my suggest usual patterns loss apply turtles. Six conduct a study Blanding’s turtle. Finally, Seven combine spotted, whether vagility predicts structure, barriers gene flow three sampled across single landscape. Analyses reveal minimal congruence unexpected contrasting Discordant among highlight areas further research shed light possible cryptic behaviour, discuss potential directions Summary.%%%%PhD