engleski

Genetic tools and approaches for conservation management of Mauremys rivulata in Croatia

The Balkan terrapin (Mauremys rivulata) is an endangered species protected by the Habitats Directive. Its range in Croatia is restricted to the southernmost karstic aquatic habitats. Most of these habitats are antropogenic modifications of lentic and lotic water used historically for agriculture. The aim of this study was to investigate the available genetic tools for conservation management of the species and to conduct a preliminary analysis of the genetic diversity of M. rivulata in Croatia. The survey of literature and openly accessible genetic repositories revealed the knowledge on complete and incomplete genes, microsatellite markers, rRNA and complete mtDNA for the species. Ampliffication of all 18 microsatellite markers available for the species on 56 samples resulted in 15 successfully amplified markers. Nine of them were estimated to have high probability of null alleles and were excluded. Preliminary genetic diversity analysis of two populations from Croatia (Majkovi and Konavle) and one from Montenegro (Sutorina) based on six microsatellite markers revealed a high level of polymorphism (24 alleles per locus on average). The values of expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.85 (Sutorina) to 0.93 (both Majkovi and Konavle populations). Bayesian analysis of population structure revealed the existence of three gene pools, the first dominant in the Suturina population, and the second in both Croatian populations, while the third was present to a lesser extent in all populations. Although they provide insights into the population genetics of M. rivulata, the available microsatellite markers are limited due to the high proportion of null aleles, especially for parentage analysis. SNP markers developed using the ddRAD method would provide a more precise and cost-effective estimate of effective population size and efficient population management of this threatened species.

genomic SSRs ; genetic diversity ; population structure ; Mauremys

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