Journal article
Green, yellow or black? Genetic differentiation and adaptation signatures in a highly migratory marine turtle
Proceedings of the Royal Society. B. Biological Sciences, Vol.288(1954), pp.1-10
2021
PMCID: PMC8261206
PMID: 34229490
Abstract
Marine species may exhibit genetic structure accompanied by phenotypic differentiation related to adaptation despite their high mobility. Two shape-based morphotypes have been identified for the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) in the Pacific Ocean: the south-central/western or yellow turtle and north-central/eastern or black turtle. The genetic differentiation between these morphotypes and the adaptation of the black turtle to environmentally contrasting conditions of the eastern Pacific region has remained a mystery for decades. Here we addressed both questions using a reduced-representation genome approach (Dartseq; 9473 neutral SNPs) and identifying candidate outlier loci (67 outlier SNPs) of biological relevance between shape-based morphotypes from eight Pacific foraging grounds (n = 158). Our results support genetic divergence between morphotypes, probably arising from strong natal homing behaviour. Genes and enriched biological functions linked to thermoregulation, hypoxia, melanism, morphogenesis, osmoregulation, diet and reproduction were found to be outliers for differentiation, providing evidence for adaptation of C. mydas to the eastern Pacific region and suggesting independent evolutionary trajectories of the shape-based morphotypes. Our findings support the evolutionary distinctness of the enigmatic black turtle and contribute to the adaptive research and conservation genomics of a long-lived and highly mobile vertebrate.
Details
- Title
- Green, yellow or black? Genetic differentiation and adaptation signatures in a highly migratory marine turtle
- Authors
- Rocío Álvarez-Varas (Author) - University of ChileNoemi Rojas-Hernandez (Author) - University of ChileMaike Heidemeyer (Author) - Universidad de Costa RicaCynthia Riginos (Author) - The University of QueenslandHugo A Benítez (Author) - Catholic University of the MauleRaul Araya-Donoso (Author) - Arizona State UniversityEduardo Reséndiz (Author) - Universidad Autónoma de Baja California SurMónica Lara-Uc (Author) - Universidad Autónoma de Baja California SurDaniel A Godoy (Author) - Massey UniversityJuan Pablo Munoz Perez (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, QueenslandDaniela Estefania Alarcon Ruales (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, QueenslandJoanna Alfaro-Shigueto (Author) - Universidad Científica del SurClara Ortiz-Alvarez (Author) - ProDelphinusJeffrey C Mangel (Author) - ProDelphinusJuliana A Vianna (Author) - Pontifical Catholic University of ChileDavid Véliz (Author) - University of Chile
- Publication details
- Proceedings of the Royal Society. B. Biological Sciences, Vol.288(1954), pp.1-10
- Publisher
- Royal Society Publishing
- Date published
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.1098/rspb.2021.0754
- ISSN
- 1471-2954
- PMID
- 34229490; PMC8261206
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99549705402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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