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Extirpation by introgression?: Genetic evidence reveals hybridization between introduced Chrysemys picta and endangered western painted turtles (C. p. bellii) in British Columbia

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Evelyn Jensen

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Abstract

© 2014. Evelyn Jensen. All Rights Reserved.Western Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii) are the only native species of freshwater turtle extant in Western Canada and are a species-at-risk in British Columbia (BC). Individuals with morphology consistent with non-native eastern North American subspecies have been recently detected in Burnaby Lake, an important stronghold for this listed species within BC. Here, we used mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence (CR and cmos, respectively) and genotypic data (nine microsatellites) collected for Painted Turtles sampled in Burnaby Lake (n=39) and from across the range of C. picta (n = 73) to investigate whether individuals with atypical C. p. bellii morphology are non-native, and to reconstruct the source(s) and number of introduction events. We found 14 adult, morphologically atypical individuals are likely non-native based on the genetic evidence, exhibiting CR haplotypes, and c-mos and private microsatellite alleles that have not been otherwise detected in the western range of C. p. bellii. We are unable, however, to infer the subspecies or locality of origin based on the genetic data, but low levels of relatedness among non-native Painted Turtles suggest multiple sources of introduction. There was also evidence for introgression, as nine sampled juveniles and two morphologically native adults possessed varying combinations of non-native CR haplotypes, and non-bellii nuclear alleles. As the source of the non-native individuals has not been identified, monitoring of lakes across the BC Lower Mainland, including Burnaby Lake, should be on-going to readily identify introduction events and prevent future degradation of the genetic integrity of this listed species of high conservation value.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Jensen EL, Govindarajulu P, Madsen J, Russello MA

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Herpetological Conservation and Biology

Year: 2014

Volume: 9

Issue: 2

Pages: 342-353

Online publication date: 12/10/2014

Acceptance date: 18/12/2013

ISSN (print): 2151-0733

ISSN (electronic): 1931-7603

Publisher: Malcolm L. McCallum

URL: http://www.herpconbio.org/Volume_9/Issue_2/Jensen_etal_2014.pdf

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