Advances in the phylogeography of chelonians: Dispersal, vicariance and the impact of humans

Uwe Fritz

Museum of Zoology, Dresden, Allemagne, Uwe.Fritz@senckenberg.de
(talk in English)

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Recent years have seen rapid progress in DNA sequencing techniques, leading to a steadily increasing number of species for which phylogeographic data are available. Chelonians (turtles, terrapins and tortoises) are generally thought to represent a slowly evolving and slowly dispersing group of animals. Thus, phylogeographic differentiation should be expected to match the biogeographical paradigm of vicariance. However, studies on the phylogeography of chelonians show for many species unprecedented dispersal abilities, enabling for instance the rapid Holocene recolonialization of vast parts of the deglaciated Europe by the pond turtle Emys orbicularis. For centuries also human-mediated dispersal plays a major role for many species, because chelonians served as live provisions for early sea farers and settlers and have been, as a by-product, translocated in many regions. Currently, genetic differentiation of many species is under threat by the release of non-native conspecific chelonians. Phylogeography can help nature conservation to identify such cases of ‘genetic pollution’ and to identify and protect remaining pure native populations. 

Recent publications:

Kindler, C., Moosig, M., […]. & U. Fritz 2015: Comparative phylogeographies of six species of hinged terrapins (Pelusios spp.) reveal discordant patterns and unexpected differentiation in the P. castaneus/P. chapini complex and P. rhodesianus. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, doi: 10.1111/bij.12647

Vamberger, M., Stuckas, H., […] & U. Fritz 2015: Differences in gene flow in a twofold secondary contact zone of pond turtles in southern Italy (Testudines: Emydidae: Emys orbicularis galloitalica, E. o. hellenica, E. trinacris). Zoologica Scripta, 44: 233-249.

Vamberger, M., Stuckas, H., Ayaz, D., Lymberakis, P., Široký, P. & U. Fritz 2014: Massive transoceanic gene flow in a freshwater turtle (Testudines: Geoemydidae: Mauremys rivulata). Zoologica Scripta, 43: 313-322.