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Population and conservation genetics of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)

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Abstract

The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is an important member of the sandhill, longleaf pine, and scrub ecosystems in the southeastern United States. Even though it is currently protected throughout its range, tortoise populations continue to decline. We assessed genetic diversity at nine microsatellite loci in 300 individuals from 21 locations throughout Florida and southern Georgia. Tortoise populations are clearly subdivided into at least eight genetic assemblages with an \(\bar{F}_{\rm ST}=0.24\pm 0.11\). Furthermore, we found indications of anthropogenic effects in the form of population bottlenecks in five populations and putative admixture in four. From these data, we recommend that the populations be managed to maintain existing genetic structure without further isolation of populations and the establishment of a holistic␣database to include genetic and demographic information useful for relocation and management purposes.

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Acknowledgements

A. Bass, R. Brachmann, C. Curtis, K. Hayes, C. Legler, K. Penney, M. Smith, and D. Warner assisted in the collection of samples. R. Ashton, R. Birkhead, T. Lamb, M. Lockhart, E. McCoy, H. Mushinsky, M. Osentoski, S. Reidel, K. Stiles, T. Tuberville and L. Wendland generously provided samples. A. Bass, C. Curtis, T. Engstrom, K. Hayes, E. Severance, E. McCoy, H. Mushinsky, D. Warner, M. Zacks, and three anonymous reviewers provided helpful and greatly appreciated comments on the manuscript. This project was funded in part by the Chelonian Research Foundation Linneaus Fund, Sigma Delta Xi Women in Science, Eloise Gerry Fellowship, and a University of South Florida Tharpe Fellowship to TS and by Arcadia Wildlife Preserve, Inc. and a National Science Foundation Grant in Systematics DEB 98-06905 to SAK.

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  1. Tonia S. Schwartz

    Present address: School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave., Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of South Florida, SCA110, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA

    Tonia S. Schwartz & Stephen A. Karl

  2. Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology, P.O. Box 1346, 46-007 Lilipuna Rd., Kaneohe, HI, 96744, USA

    Stephen A. Karl

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  1. Tonia S. Schwartz
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Correspondence to Stephen A. Karl.

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Schwartz, T.S., Karl, S.A. Population and conservation genetics of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus). Conserv Genet 6, 917–928 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-005-9078-5

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